A special note:
Our hearts are with all our Tauranga Moana whānau and neighbours affected by the devastating landslides of 22 January. In this time of shock and grief, we send our deepest aroha to everyone navigating this loss.
We planned this exhibition, ‘Thicker than Water: Tauranga Moana Hosts Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke's Bay Artists’ many months ago. Now, as we near the third anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, its opening feels deeply poignant - a shared space for our communities to connect.
In the spirit of manaakitanga and mutual support, we believe community arts are more important than ever. They give us a place to come together, to reflect, and to find strength in creativity. We host this exhibition with immense respect for the grief and challenges being faced right here, right now.
For anyone wishing to support local recovery, we’ll have information at the gallery. You can also learn more or donate directly to the Acorn Foundation's Western Bay of Plenty May 2025 Storm Appeal here.
Exhibition details:
Back in February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Te Matau-a-Māui. In its wake, our Incubator Creative Hub community was moved to act, holding a fundraiser with over 200 artworks donated by local artists.
Three years on, we are honoured to continue this thread of support. ‘Thicker than Water’ presents a powerful collective of work from Hawke’s Bay creatives that celebrate their enduring spirit. Curated by the inimitable Rosheen FitzGerald, well known Hawke's Bay creative curator, poet, artist and founder of the F#*ked Up Family Circus.
Rosheen, known for her uncompromising aesthetic and deep roots in the Hawke’s Bay creative underground, will bring together a select collective of the region’s compelling voices. Expect raw talent, powerful narratives, performance and art that speaks directly from the heart of their community. Participating artists include Joanna Abraham Joseph, Joseph Rowntree, Asaki Kajima, John Lancashire, Bernie Winkels, Richard Brimer, Lora Calora with Hawkes bay musician Fraser Mack performing on the evening.
Join us as we extend the manaakitanga of Tauranga Moana, hosting and celebrating these remarkable artists. Hawke’s Bay musician Fraser Mack will perform at the opening, sharing his own journey of healing after losing his home in the cyclone.
Alongside this exhibition in the People’s Gallery don’t miss ‘Alluvion’ Ceramics by John Gisborne and Morag Shaw - both esteemed New Zealand Ceramic Artists, in The Pot House Gallery. As well as the opening of the exhibition - ‘Pick Me Up’, a captivating new solo exhibition, exploring resilience, introspection, and the creative spirit by Swiss-born, Tauranga-based artist Isabelle Mathys.
Let’s come together, through art.
Exhibition launch: Friday 13 February 2026, 5.30pm
On display: The People’s Gallery Toi Ka Rere, from 14 February to 7 March.
Licensed Bar onsite – everyone is welcome!
Refreshments sponsored by Gate Pā New World