Toi Ngapuhi comes to Whangarei for the first time

Jewellery by Alex Nathan is part of the Toi Ngapuhi exhibition. Photo / Supplied

An esteemed Maori arts exhibition being held in Whangarei for the first time will see a record number of artists showcasing their work.

Toi Ngapuhi - a premier iwi art exhibition which is a flagship of the Ngapuhi Festival
- will be held at Toll Stadium from Thursday, January 25, to Sunday, January 28.

The event, which has steadily grown since its beginning in 2004, will achieve a record level of participation this year with more than 80 emerging and established artists exhibiting their artwork.

Exhibition spokesman BJ Natanahira said to ensure the exhibition retains its premier status all artworks submitted undergo a stringent review process by a committee.

"[The committee] maintain the high standard of work accepting only the best of the best."

Mr Natanahira said a significant medium for Tai Tokerau artists is uku (clay) but in the past this was not perceived as a traditional Maori material.

However, renowned clay artists and former exhibition curators Manos Nathan and Colleen Waata-Urlich, who both passed away in 2015, challenged that perception.

Exhibition curator and Ngapuhi sculptor Rhonda Halliday said the commitment and leadership of Ms Waata-Urlich and Mr Nathan was still strongly felt.

"Colleen and Manos ensured that the ethos, culture and quality of artwork on display were exemplary and that the best of Ngapuhi was represented and shared.

"The works have always been of the highest calibre, it is a requirement and we are well aware that our mahi needs to be 'up there'," she said.

The exhibition showcases a range of art meda including clay, paint, print, fibre, glass, bone, silver, harakeke, pounamu, stone, wood and mixed media. All the artworks displayed are available for purchase

Four ta moko artists will also be working their craft on the day.

The event is popular with Northlanders but also international buyers.

Ida Edwards, a Whangarei-based artist and organising committee member, said they would be welcoming a group of international buyers.

"There is a group who book their holidays to New Zealand to coincide with the festival every two years in order to attend the exhibition to see the progression of certain artists they like to collect from."