Presented by Ngā Turuturu o te Tara (Coromandel Weavers Collective) with Maureen Lander and Chris Charteris, Star Waka acknowledges past, present and future voyaging to and from Aotearoa in all directions.  

Stars glimmer and weave from all directions, reflecting navigation patterns over time and space. Together, the waka and the stars symbolise the universe and the binding together of ira atua (the realm of the gods) and ira tangata (the realm of humans).

Floating in a dark sea of stars, the waka invites visitors to reflect upon their own journeys as they create and gift a new star to the collection. You can help the Star Waka exhibition grow with and respond to each audience as she tours Aotearoa.

Star Waka is also the title of Robert Sullivan’s book of poetry, which engages with the imagination and encapsulates our vision to create a symbolic waka in a star-studded universe. A special acknowledgement to Maryann Talia Pau of The One Million Stars to End Violence project.

This project was first activated in Whitianga for Tuia 250 commemorations, sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Heritage Tuia 250.