Arohanoa Mathews – Ngā toi Māori Navigator

arohanoa@creativebop.org.nz
07 928 5270

Arohanoa Mathews, a descendant of Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui iwi and Tauranga-based contempoary Māori artist with a degree in visual communications design and fine arts, is the newly appointed Ngā Toi Māori Navigator for Creative Bay of Plenty. Her arts teaching background spans over 25 years and most recently her work as Education Manager for her iwi, Ngāi Te Rangi, has continued to inform much of her recent art practice. Arohanoa’s art portrays a profound refection of her identity and roots, inticately weaving her cultural heritage as Māori. With Arohanoa’s background and experience as a practicing artist and education, and with wide connects across the arts sector in Tauranga Moana, Arohanoa aims to serve as an advocate for ngā toi Māori by way of unlocking potential, inform strategies and initiatives that connect, support and celebrate Māori art, language and heritage. Arohanoa aims to ignite inspiration among Tauranga communities to embrace creative opportunities, for ngā toi Māori artists and creatives to build and develop knowledge in other areas of practice in the aim to thrive.

How we support the Ngā toi Māori sector:

Processes

We engage and connect with iwi and hapū in the processes of design, historical and cultural consultation, and expertise that is needed to participate meaningfully and appropriately.

Resources

Developing resources and services for Māori and non-Māori to navigate spaces of connection and collaboration for mutual benefit, including providing cultural guidance and resources on public art projects.

Advocacy

We advocate for arts, culture and creativity at a local and national level through our established connections and relationships with artists and organisations. We are a leading member of RANA (Regional Arts Network Aotearoa) – a network of arts development organisations across the country.

Sustainability

We support individual arts practitioners and groups of artists to establish exhibition and performance spaces, develop online marketplaces, and access expertise and funding to support their work.

Projects

We support new development projects by building connections and providing resources and advice on cultural storytelling and creative expertise.