Kaitaia's first IO Festival was judged by Museum @ Te Ahu curator and co-organiser Whina Te Whiu as an unqualified success.
The three-day festival, at Te Ahu, which began with a blessing and welcome to local people and international participants to the first event of its kind, was designed as an opportunity to showcase indigenous art and cultural expression, alongside Nga Tohu o IO exhibition, which will remain on display at the museum until February, with local Māori artists to explore the festival theme.
"Anna Anderson, Aleesha Tahana and Niki Lawrence gave a wonderful talk and insight into their artworks," Ms Te Whiu said, "while small local Māori businesses promoted their products, like Kimberly Tait's kānuka oil products (Hinu Ora), Marama Mata's health and wellbeing store in Mangonui, the House of Rehua, and local artist Kiri Clark's amazing original art on canvas," she said.
Nine international guests, who had taken part in an international indigenous artists' gathering in Ngaruawahia, were there too to share their wisdom at workshops with students at Abundant Life School, followed next day by each artist giving a moving presentation about their individual journeys.
The museum also hosted presentations by tohunga expert Piriwiritua Billy Tuhua, and academics Phillip Lambert and Tangaroa Ngaropo, who shared their knowledge of ancient IO.