Toi is Rongoaa Symposium

Join us for koorero, presentations, and workshops in celebration of Waikato Museum's exhibition Toi is Rongoaa. This two-day event aims to share knowledge and elevate creative practice, presenting toi as a tool for transformational change.

Toi is a manifestation of cultural identity that is used to interpret and disseminate knowledge. At the very core the kupu (word) Toi, means source or knowledge. Rongoaa, known as traditional Maaori healing, is an important part of the natural world. It’s properties and qualities can be sourced physically and spiritually to bring about balance and restore a sense of health and wellbeing. This potent knowledge is important as we grapple with climate change and the fragility of human existence.

Toi is not a form of rongoaa, it simply is.

The keynote speakers, artists and practitioners presenting or offering workshops over the two days utilise this knowledge to present toi as a tool for transformational change. The exhibition and the coming Symposium aim to elevate creative practice so that it can be understood in this transformational and holistic way.

Featuring
- Professor Kereti G. Rautangata
- Graham Hoete
- Maria Huata
- Te Rita Papesch
- Nigel Borrell
- Linda Munn
- Toi is Rongoaa curators Margaret Aull and Maree Mills

Programme

Friday 2 December
• Registrations open 8:45am
• Whakatau / mihi 9.30am
• Keynote speaker: Professor Kereti Rautangata
• A closer look at the Toi is Rongoaa exhibition with co-curators Margaret Aull and Maree Mills
Lunch and whakawhanaungatanga 12pm - 12:45pm
• Workshop A Spoken Word with Maria Huata 1pm
• Workshop B Rongoaa with Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan 1pm
• Keynote speaker: Te Rita Papesch
• Break-out session A A place for healing: artists talk to installation practice
• Break-out session B Rongoaa practice
• Whakakapi / karakia close 5:15pm

Saturday 3 December
• Haangii preparation and lighting 6am
• Registrations open 9am
• Mihi mihi and reflections / recap on Day 1 10am
• Keynote speaker: Joni Brooking
• Performance: Te Pae - Painting to story with Regan Balzer
Haangii lunch 12.30pm - 1:30pm
• Transformational Practice - Panel Discussion: Nigel Borell, Linda Munn, Margaret Aull, and others 1.30pm
• Keynote speaker: Graham Hoete AKA Mr G
• Workshop 1 Taonga Puuoro / Vibration with Haumanu Collective
• Workshop 2 Rongoaa with David Kukutai Jones
• Poroporoaki /Reflections
• Closing Karakia 5:15pm

Support to attend
Twenty-five tickets have been reserved free of charge for artists, rongoaa practitioners, or other creatives who wish to attend this wananga but may not have the funds to do so. To apply for one of these free spaces, please contact toiisrongoaa@gmail.com.

Sponsors
This symposium is sponsored by:
Te Wananga O Aotearoa, Creative New Zealand, Tainui Waka Tourism, Waikato Museum