We’ve created this interview series so you can get to know our local creatives a bit better. ‘Patapatai’ is te reo Māori for ‘questioning, enquiring, provoking, and challenging’: we get to the bottom of what inspires these artists, and how creative life in the Bay looks for them.
Mount Maunganui local Billie Scott got her first camera aged ten. Although she was passionate about photography, she didn’t believe it could be a career and pursued science instead. Eventually spotting a gap in the market for videographers, she decided to take the plunge, teaching herself everything she needed to know. Today, Billie balances her need for a fast-paced lifestyle between creativity and sport, and an average day in her life “depends on the waves”.
Esraa Muse doesn’t like putting her art in boxes, but some people call her a rockstar in a garden – pretty with an edge – which also describes her singing style. This is a powerful discussion of striving for your dreams in spite of pain.
Paora Tiatoa (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Raukawa) is a visual artist and print maker who specialises in three print formats: abstract multi-pass hand screenprinting; inkjets; and a combination of these which Paora has named jetscreening. Working out of his 40ft shipping container studio on Matakana Island, Paora’s work is exhibited in spaces across the motu, including The Poi Room, Turua Gallery and Ora Gallery. Our kōrero touches on his upbringing, the role of humour in his work, and Bobby’s Fish & Chip Shop.
Actress Kataraina Howden-Borell stars in the 2022 television series Beyond the Veil. Listen to her kōrero with presenter Tihini Grant about the importance of te reo Māori on our screens.
Creative Bay of Plenty and Film Bay of Plenty are honoured to present three episodes in te reo Māori in celebration of Te Wiki o te reo Māori for The Creative Patapatai Project. These episodes were recorded at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Kura Kōkiri, with interviewer Tihini Grant speaking with film/media industry professionals Hemana Waaka, Te Manawa Tumoana, and Kataraina Howden-Borell.
Ngā mihi nui to Film Bay of Plenty, Tihini Grant, Mood, Studio Muse Videography, Toi Ohomai and Te Kura Kōkiri for your collaborative mahi on this kaupapa.
Ko ngā pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata. Ko ngā pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Mā te wā.
Te Manawa Tumoana (Te Puke) is currently working as a production assistant at Waka Huia, an archival TV series recording the unique stories and histories of Māori for all New Zealanders.
Creative Bay of Plenty and Film Bay of Plenty are honoured to present three episodes in te reo Māori in celebration of Te Wiki o te reo Māori for The Creative Patapatai Project. These episodes were recorded at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Kura Kōkiri, with interviewer Tihini Grant speaking with film/media industry professionals Hemana Waaka, Te Manawa Tumoana, and Kataraina Howden-Borell.
Ngā mihi nui to Film Bay of Plenty, Tihini Grant, Mood, Studio Muse Videography, Toi Ohomai and Te Kura Kōkiri for your collaborative mahi on this kaupapa.
Ko ngā pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata. Ko ngā pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Mā te wā.
Hemana Waaka, the world’s first sports commentator to present in te reo Maori, speaks with Tihini Grant about inspiring audiences through embracing the language.
Creative Bay of Plenty and Film Bay of Plenty are honoured to present three episodes in te reo Māori in celebration of Te Wiki o te reo Māori for The Creative Patapatai Project. These episodes were recorded at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Kura Kōkiri, with interviewer Tihini Grant speaking with film/media industry professionals Hemana Waaka, Te Manawa Tumoana, and Kataraina Howden-Borell.
Ngā mihi nui to Film Bay of Plenty, Tihini Grant, Mood, Studio Muse Videography, Toi Ohomai and Te Kura Kōkiri for your collaborative mahi on this kaupapa.
Ko ngā pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata. Ko ngā pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Mā te wā.
Nicol Sanders O’Shea’s first job was tutoring printmaking at Elam, and her art journey has been life-long ever since. Working as an art educator at Toi Ohomai, Nicol wants to see more public art around our city, funded art residencies, and big annual arts events. We think she’s spot on.
Ross Murray is influenced by a combination of comic books and vintage advertising. He’s created artwork for clients such as Lonely Planet, NASA, Disney, Apple, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Washington Post, Garage Project, and The Spinoff. Part of his work involves re-watching Disney princess movies. Yes, we’re jealous. In this episode we chat Studio Ghibli and indestructible cows.
Nick Newman lives and breathes live music. You’d be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about bringing something to stage that no one’s seen before. We can’t predict what Nick will produce next, which is the beauty of it. Explore his project Satellite Sessions and stay tuned for upcoming gigs.
Artist Rolph Hediger is currently developing his project ‘For Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven’, a collection of interviews and portraits of various people from all walks of life which showed at Tauranga Art Gallery. We chat with Rolph about artist-run spaces, van Gogh, and working as an English language teacher. There’s a significant thread running through Rolph’s answers: he values people – meeting them, learning about them, and depicting them with ink and coffee.
Special Studio‘s goal is simple: use waste plastic to make new things and clean up the planet. Studio owner Matt Watkins brings his most fundamental values to the work he does, locally manufacturing homeware objects using at least 98 per cent recycled plastic waste. Matt chats to Remaker’s Steph Brooke in this episode on sustainable creativity.
Get to know Jolene James, local media personality and a bit of a creative legend. We sat down with our favourite Tauranga radio host to learn about a typical day in her busy life, her musical youth, and what she loves about the Bay’s geographic landscape.
“If you do a sketch, and I do a copy, no matter how good I am at copying, [my version is] still lesser. But, if you do a sculpture, and I do a sketch of your sculpture, that’s an artform interpreting an artform. And that’s what acting is to writing.” Harry Oram has a passion for storytelling, whether via screen, stage or song. He founded Apex Academy of Performing Arts to show local performers they don’t have to leave the region to do what they love.
Jacki is creative director of Back Studio in Tauriko; it’s her residency as an artist where she can explore unlimited creativity with all her painting products at her fingertips. She believes in collaboration to the fullest – artists supporting artists. Find out how you can get involved in this malleable, multi-purpose space for a variety of artisans and inspirations.
Working as a Toi Ohomai tutor, photographer, and graphic designer doesn’t prevent Heidi Douglas from taking time for herself and her creative thoughts. Listen to Heidi to photographer Kendra Stone talk about underwater photography, branding, and immigrating to Aotearoa.
Arpége Taratoa’s exposure to the art world has been rich, her critical and creative thinking cultivated in her father’s studio. Having worked as the Māori Arts Intern for Creative BOP and Te Tuhi Mareikura Trust, and Creative Director for Wakatu Incorporation, Arpége brings a wealth of experience and passion to what she does.
Coni Flores is fittingly known as The Wanderer Photographer; she loves to explore natural landscapes to find her breathtaking shots. She also creates workshops for small groups or one-on-one settings, where she shares her knowledge on everything from long exposure to editing your photos. Her energy and positive mindset are infectious. Enjoy!
Filmmaker Micah Winiata sits down with filmmaker Louis Bolton to discuss Micah’s recent release TAIAO and the motivation behind the short film. Says Micah of TAIAO: “[The documentary] presents like a snapshot of a really unique time in my life; coming here, knowing my whakapapa, connecting back to New Zealand… it’s quite a journey.” Connection of two worlds is a theme throughout Micah’s film, including the soundtrack. Listen out for the blend of taonga puoro with a modern synthesizer. You can watch TAIAO at Kaponga Pictures.
Grace Windey is a sculptor first and foremost, but uses a wide range of media. That intersection and communication between the media she uses really defines the way she makes things, putting concept before medium in all her work. Grace uses language as the consistent thread in everything she makes. She dives deeper into this concept with filmmaker Louis Bolton. She also really loves pierogis. We know you’ll love getting to know this fascinating creative.
Artist Lynette Fisher loves nostalgia. She’s also over people whining about kids on devices. Find out why in this episode where Lynette chats to actor and guest interviewer Connor Johnston.
Photographer Jess Lowcher wears more than one creative hat. She chats the pros and cons of juggling these hats with actor and guest interviewer Connor Johnston in this episode.
James Ashcroft’s first feature Coming Home in the Dark turned heads in Hollywood, after his thriller received praise at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Actor and guest interviewer Connor Johnston caught up with James to chat storytelling, Dad-life, and the importance of collaboration and intention as a director.
Emerging curator and art historian, and Tauranga Art Gallery regular, Ellie Smith takes us on a dive into the details of a typical day working with the visual arts, and why (in the time of Covid) she’s no longer planning anything with certainty…
Meet local visual communicator and superstar Kendra Stone. She’s shooting all the images for our Creative Patapatai project and helping us tell dozens of creative stories, as well as taking on the role of project lead for this podcast. She’s also leading Venture Centre’s PoweringON Programme, enabling small and medium-sized local businesses to leverage digital tools to drive their objectives. In short, she’s a weapon.
In the first episode of this series, we’re chatting to film-maker and visual story-teller Louis Bolton. Louis migrated to Tauranga a few years ago. Keep listening to hear Louis talk about Nelson Mandela, Queen and Pearl Jam, and barbecue.