TĪ KOUKA

PLACE STORIES & ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Vicki Smith is incredibly grateful to have been awarded a Creative Fellowship grant from Toi Aotearoa / Creative New Zealand (CNZ). These grants enable artists to connect more deeply with their practice, develop ideas, listen and learn. Find out more about this on the CNZ Website
The aim of the Tī Kouka project is to create ‘communities of practice’, to collaborate and investigate fibre processes, materiality and their potential for use for remediation of ecological pressures. The project will include long time collaborator Mel McColgan, scientists and others - working in and with local capacity across our own and Te Tauihu rohe. Outcomes of the grant will be added below following our speculative timeline.
  • 2026
    TĪ KOUKA / Whakatū
    Planning next steps for artecology and waterways, Connecting the mahi across the mōtu. Confirm process with individuals and agencies through local, national and international networks
  • June 2026
    Karamea / Poutini
    Attending a reforestation workshop with Te Uru Rakau (MPI), looking at restoration, connecting waterways and ecosystems - Reconnecting locals
  • June 2026
    Te Aumiti / French Pass
    A Kakahu wananga weaving practice and place. Whanaungatanga, sunrise swims, Pā Harakeke cleanup, sharing pūrakau, kai and raranga. Thanks: Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Aunty Ngawai & Uncle Bill
  • July
    Ōtautahi - Resourceful Craft
    Wananga and connecting with artists using Tī Kouka and other fibres and materials. Visiting with the team at the Climate Action campus www.climateaction.school.nz
  • August 2026
    AroWhenua - Puke Te Raki
    Developing parameters for connecting community, wānanga with experts at Inanga Spawning Wananga with Ngati Huirapa / Jules Rata-Te Raki
  • August 2026
    Harihari
    Connecting the rākau Tī Kouka in situ exploring waterway and process in artecology practice with iwi and locals
  • August - September
    Te Upoko o Te Ika a māui
    Connections across Raukawakawa Kapiti - Sue Barrett Tīkouka Taura. Whanau Te Atiawa - Hieke
  • september-October
    Te Wai Pounamu
    Embedded time in local whenua. Testing practice through engaging further with school and local community and agencies (art and environment)
  • october
    Whakatū - Te Tauihu
    Refining process with mentoring experts, local agencies and networks
  • November 2026
    Harihari
    Time with school around the waterway, participatory project and planting event with community
  • december 2026 January 2027
    Tī Kouka - Place Stories & Ecosystem Services
    Continuing to connect the mahi across the mōtu

Ngā Mihi / Thanks to our supporters

Contact info
Address
PO Box 5049 Port Nelson 7010
Please let us know if you are interested in any projects listed
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