Steve Wharehoka’s Huatoki: Our River, Our Story opens at Kina Gallery on 14 August. A promising local Maori artist, Steve Wharehoka presents us with a body of work which tell the stories and histories of the Huatoki – the gentle stream that flows through the centre of New Plymouth.

The Huatoki has an important place in the history of the New Plymouth region. Although often regarded as a placid stream to take leisurely walks beside, the Huatoki hasn’t always been so peaceful. Steve Wharehoka, through his clever visual story-telling, encourages us to learn about some of these histories.

The Huatoki River was an important resource for Maori as it served as an access route inland, a border and a spiritual connection to te maunga (the mountain). Alongside this it also provided Maori with Taranaki Andesite which was used to make the Toki (Adze). This is the story of the violation of fishing rights on the Huatoki, the law of utu (revenge) and the subsequent fights between the people of Puke Ariki and Waimanu who were located on either side of the Huatoki.

Steve Wharehoka is a student at WITT currently studying architecture. The influences of this are evident as his paintings are undeniably design-led.  Wharehoka embraces traditional Maori iconography which he presents within concise, measured line-drawings. His aim here is to take Maori concepts and introduce them into mainstream design.

HUATOKI: Our River, Our Story is open to the public until 9 September 2009. Through Steve Wharehoka’s unique visual story-telling we are provided with a chance to understand some of the significant stories and histories of the Taranaki region.