Mr Tabuteau thanked Rotorua Museum curator Stewart Brown who delivered the artwork to Wellington, and acknowledged Te Arawa kaumatua Piwiki Heke and Ken Kennedy, and kuia Kaa Daniels and Aneta Morgan, who accompanied the art and took part in the opening with a special blessing.
The blessing was done alongside Parliamentary kaumatua Kura Moeahu.
Anna Hayes, a local artist with two pieces in the exhibition, said it was exciting to be included with the high calibre of artists selected.
"The whole experience was really awesome."
Her woven pieces were made especially for the exhibition.
One, named Hine i te iwaiwa is made from recycled rimu, four bolts, New Zealand native flax and obsidian.
She said Hine-i-te-iwaiwa was the Maori goddess of weaving, plaiting and childbirth, and the piece was to acknowledge the realm of weaving, people and prosperity since time began in Rotorua.
The second piece, named Positive and negative is made from recycled rimu, New Zealand native flax and four bolts.
Ms Hayes said positive and negative was reflected in all of us, and this was a simple piece with the mirror image - one floating above the other and equally interchangeable.
The exhibition runs until June 29. Artwork is for sale, ranging from $169 to $5750.
Pieces not sold during the exhibition will be auctioned at the Wharewaka on the waterfront in Wellington on June 30.
'Te Wairua o Te Rotorua' artists
Toni Armstrong, Regan Balzer, Nicola Bennett, Riley Claxton, Peter Edwards, Martyn Evans, Lani Eyles, The Bushmans Son - Terry Fergusson, Jill Fleming, Ron Hall, Anna Hayes, Joe Kemp, Tanya Leef, Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard, Rebecca Moore, Hectorina Mulligan, Teresa Murray, Jessica Newman-Murphy, Judy Prictor, Miriam Ruberl, Logan Okiwi Shipgood, Michael Staite, Ross Wesche, Adrienne Whitewood, Nicola Wright
