Papakura Art Gallery

18/09/2026

Yesterday at Art Club, tamariki created their own landscapes using oil pastels, inspired by Haare Williams’ paintings in our current exhibition, Kaitiakitanga. Taking inspiration from Haare’s ocean, hills, mountains and skies, they created their own landscapes.

Some had fun trying to recreate elements from the example, while others came up with their own landscapes. It was lovely seeing the different ways everyone interpreted the landscape through colour and shapes.

16/09/2026

Kia ora Art Club whānau! Tomorrow we will be creating mixed media landscapes inspired by our current exhibition Kaitiakitanga by Haare Williams.

We hope to see you tomorrow at 3:30pm 😊

16/09/2026

Join kaumātua and artist Haare Williams for two free programmes exploring the journey of the kuaka (bar-tailed godwit), its connection to Aotearoa, and the ideas of kaitiakitanga woven throughout his exhibition.

Both programmes are free and open to all ages.

Haare and the gallery look forward to welcoming you!

10/09/2026

What She Carried | By Emily Grimston
2 September - 30 September

What She Carried is a hand-built mosaic mirror combining sculptural clay elements, painted and textured surfaces, and reflective glass. The surrounding imagery incorporates feminine, botanical and anatomical symbolism alongside a child figure inspired by stories from the artist mother's childhood.

The mirror is intentionally interactive. Rather than simply observing the work, viewers become part of it through their reflection. This creates a shifting relationship between the personal story contained within the artwork and the viewer's own memories and sense of identity.

The work is accompanied by a zine that expands on the themes and storytelling behind the piece. Zines are available for visitors to take away, allowing the story to continue beyond the gallery.

Come by the gallery to see What She Carried, take a moment to see yourself within the work, and pick up a zine to take with you.

09/09/2026

A big mihi to everyone who joined us for the opening of Kaitiakitanga by Haare Williams.

It was a wonderful morning with a fantastic turnout of whānau, friends, and community coming together to celebrate Haare and his work. The opening began with karakia from our Kaumātua Raniera, followed by a blessing of the gallery space before we gathered to hear kōrero from our speakers.

Haare then shared the stories and whakaaro behind his paintings, giving everyone a deeper insight into the ideas of kaitiakitanga and our connection to the natural world. The morning closed with a beautiful waiata, led by Haare and his granddaughter, with everyone joining in.

Haare was truly overwhelmed by the incredible feedback and support from everyone who came along. Ngā mihi nui to all who helped make the opening such a special morning.

Come down, take your time with the paintings, and explore the stories of the kuaka and kaitiakitanga woven throughout the exhibition.

09/09/2026

Art Club is back after our two-week break! Tomorrow, we’ll be painting the clay creations we made during our last session.

We can't wait to welcome you back :)

02/09/2026

Kia ora Art Club whānau. Another reminder that there is no Art Club this week. We will see you next week!

Important notice for our Art Club whānau! There will be no Art Club for the next two weeks. See you on Thursday 10th September!

28/08/2026

Kaitiakitanga by Haare Williams opens at Papakura Art Gallery in one week!

Every year in early September, the kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) arrives in New Zealand from Alaska after an incredible 14,000 kilometre non-stop flight. The kuaka, alongside stories of taniwha, patupaiarehe and deities such as Papatūānuku, enrich our cultural and spiritual landscape, reflecting the concept of kaitiakitanga.

A Western conceptualisation of the world, based on capital wealth and neoliberal ideology, is only one way of understanding and structuring society. The extraordinary migration of the kuaka invites us to consider other possibilities, reminding us that Indigenous cultures offer different ways of understanding our relationship with the natural world.

Join us at 11am on Saturday, 5 September, for the official opening!