Whakauae Scholarship Holders Reach Significant Milestones

Maihi Potaka standing in front of his piece entitled Mutunga Kore (sold).

 

Two Master’s students, Maihi Potaka (Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Manawa, Te Ātihaunui-ā- Pāpārangi) and Emma Rawson (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Raukawa) who were awarded Whakauae Scholarships have reached significant milestones with their mahi.

 

Maihi Potaka (Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Manawa, Te Ātihaunui-ā- Pāpārangi) held a solo exhibition at the Thermostat Gallery in Palmerston North for his Masters of Māori Visual Arts. The exhibition marks Maihi’s final year at Massey University since beginning his Bachelor’s degree in 2014. The exhibition, entitled Whakarongo comprises a body of work which focuses on the balance of symmetry within kōwhaiwhai. 

The title Whakarongo is used to compel the viewer to sense or feel the works. Maihi notes that, with this exhibition he envisioned to create a series of works that invoke a positive state of mind, based on the feel of the colours and the patterns contained within the works. As such, the works may be considered a form of Rongoā Māori. The patterns are intended to assist in the connection between the many aspects of wellbeing with the hopes that the shapes and patterns contained within can help re-balance and strengthen people so that they blossom and realise their full potential. Maihi’s exhibition runs until November 21st 2020.

 

Emma Rawson (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Raukawa) who is undertaking a Master’s in Public Health recently submitted her thesis for examination. Emma had an abstract and poster presentation based on her thesis findings accepted and displayed at the 16th World Congress on Public Health 2020 - Public health for the future of humanity: analysis, advocacy and action. Emma was also co-host of a World Leadership Dialogue and a Pre-Conference Workshop run by the Indigenous Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations during the congress. Both events focused on the unique contributions of Indigenous people to public health and sustainability with a specific focus on working with Indigenous people and learnings from Covid-19.