Toi Matarau

Toi Matarau is a gallery within the Māoriland Hub in the heart of Ōtaki village. What began as a temporary exhibition space during the film festival in 2019 became a permanent gallery space just a year later. This is where Māori and Indigenous art is celebrated in all mediums. The focus is on Māori artists with a connection to the Ōtaki area, on showcasing local talent, and on uplifting young, emerging artists.

There are two gallery spaces to explore, both of which go through a rotation regularly. It is an exciting gallery to visit, with various styles of art, from traditional weaving and carving to experimental works, digital art, designer jewellery and more.

Toi Matarau also offers a space for local and other Indigenous artists to come together and collaborate across disciplines. It runs workshops throughout the year and includes a selection of Māori literature. While the annual film festival is on, the gallery works as the front face of the festival. A hub of activity, it functions as a store for festival merch and a space for guests to gather.

If you're interested in Māori and Indigenous arts, Toi Matarau should be on your radar when visiting the lower North Island. It is hard not to be inspired amongst such a diverse range of local talent, a great place to find an interesting piece of Māori art to take home.