The future of Taranaki’s Pāsifika communities is up for debate this weekend at New Plymouth’s contemporary art museum.

A Talanoa – an in-depth conversation – will run for three days at the district’s Govett-Brewster Art Gallery as part of the exhibition 𝘓𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢: 𝘓𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘪 𝘍𝘰𝘯𝘰.

Highlights include community cooking sessions and shared kai, artist presentations, workshops, youth and community-led talks and curatorial discussions on Pacific art practices.

The Gallery says the Talanoa explores “how art, cultural practice, and collective dreaming can shape a vibrant future for Pasifika people in Taranaki and beyond.”

Govett Brewster director Zara Stanhope said 𝘓𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢: 𝘓𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘪 𝘍𝘰𝘯𝘰 was showing new art created in the gallery alongside historical artworks, encouraging intergenerational storytelling.

Dr Stanhope said the exhibition was guided by Pacific public programme coordinator Theresa Tongi, Pacific curator-at-large Ruha Fifita, and the Gallery’s Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Advisory Group.

Lalaga means to weave together, or woven, and the Talanoa was created in collaboration with Pacific artists, youth ambassadors and community leaders.

“The Talanoa sessions are a dynamic extension of our current exhibition, 𝘓𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢: 𝘓𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘪 𝘍𝘰𝘯𝘰, weaving together the exhibition artists and our community, aiming to deepen connections.”

The Gallery’s public programs and learning lead Lleah Smith said the exhibition was a “long-term initiative designed to deepen relationships between the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa creatives.”

She said it fostered “collaboration, mutual support, and cultural exchange, making it essential for anyone… supporting and celebrating Pasifika art and culture,"

Like most Govett-Brewster events entry is free apart from the community-led kai on Saturday afternoon, which is $15.

𝘓𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢: 𝘓𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘪 𝘍𝘰𝘯𝘰 is open until 11 May

Visit govettbrewster.com to find out more, specifically on the Talanoa series.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air

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