Piupiu Maya Tūrei (Wairarapa Moana, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi) is a curator and artist who loves all the beautiful forms of Toi Māori. She is the current facilitator of Tini Whetū Project Space and enjoys playing video games and reading Tomb Raider comics. She is stoked to be supporting Creative Natives and Pīata Mai Festival by curating the exhibition part of the festival!

Eketone (Ngaati Maniapoto/ Waikato) joyfully makes a mess and then spends the rest of the time trying to work out how to clean/fix it. Parikoikoi is an atua wahine of ‘gloomy light’. Even when it’s dark, if you take a moment, you will see. To me, there is always hope, no matter how dark it gets.

Ko Jerree Waerea ahau, he uri au nō Ngāti Kahungunu. Creator in love with the process where time disappears and worries wash away.

Okeroa (Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui) has a multi disciplinary practice which explores Māoritanga, spirituality, Takatāpuitanga, memory, and Whanaungatanga. Okeroa uses Toi Māori as an outlet of release and as a bridge to gap the generational disconnect in their cultural identity.

Jess Nicholson (Kāi Tahu, Pākehā) is the maker behind Sick Ceramics. They are a self-taught ceramicist from Whakatāne currently studying Art and Design in Ōtepoti. Nicholson's practice focuses on cultural and environmental sustainability. They incorporate local uku, kōhatu, sand, and ash into their work to connect with their Kāitahutaka and te taiao.

Savannah is a talented mixed media artist and creator. Owner of @kerekerestudios in Ōtepoti Dunedin. She draws inspiration from nature, creation, and the elements. Her journey as an artist is influenced by her aunty Elizabeth Kerekere, a former Green Party MP. Savannah is a self-taught visual artist who honed her craft during lockdown. Since then, she has displayed her work on the local and international stage.

Jacob Tucker (Tainui, Ngaati Apakura) is a jeweller, currently studying mahi toi at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

"Me he kōpiri whetū ki te rangi, ko tātou ki te whenua" "As the stars of Matariki are bound firmly together in the sky, so too are we on earth" Our winter whetū are timely reminders to draw together as whānau and community during this season, towards collective wellbeing. We're taking the opportunity that Pīata Mai has provided to bring last years alumni and the current years students to embody this vision. Mānawatia a Puanga Matariki!

Ani Kainamu - he Ngāpuhi, he Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa.

Ani is a fresh and enthusiastic haututū toi, exploring the world of art as a way to connect with and express our pūrākau. For Ani, art is more than just a medium—it's a deep dive into understanding our environment and our inseparable bond with it.