Our Stories.
Our Arts.
Our Place.
We’re transforming how Whakatū looks, feels, and tells its story.
WHY KŌPŪ
Whakatū is ready for a future where our shared spaces reflect our place, our stories, and our identity.
Kōpū is being driven by the eight iwi of Te Tauihu as a collective delivery model that seeks to increase the visibility and presence of toi Māori in Whakatū.
OUR VISION
We imagine a Whakatū where:
Toi Māori is visible and celebrated in our shared spaces
Our rich whakapapa is expressed through art, design, and experience
The built environment reflects who we are and where we come from
This is a movement to embed mana, meaning, and identity into the urban fabric of our rohe.
Kōpū sets out to:
Increase the visibility of toi Māori
Secure new opportunities and investment
Deliver iwi-led cultural projects that uplift our city and people
WHAT DOES KŌPŪ MEAN?
Ko Kōpū te kaitō i te awatea
Kōpū precedes the dawn.
Kōpū is best known as Venus as a morning star — the sign of a new day approaching.
It carries the symbolism of transition, transformation, and the promise of light on the horizon.
Kōpū draws its identity from He Tātai Whetū – the constellation of stars that represents our collective creative and cultural strategy for Whakatū.
Where He Tātai Whetū is the wider constellation and strategy, Kōpū is the bright light that signals a new era — an era where toi Māori takes centre stage.
This kaupapa is our haeata - where artists, storytellers, and leaders chart a bold new path for Whakatū. Tukua te haeata!
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
We’re delivering a series of major activations and projects to support the revitalisation of Whakatū Nelson City.
Kōpū Exhibition
A space to explore new ideas and the stirrings of a reimagined place.
Mehemea ko Kōpū e rere ana i te pae
Beauty is like Kōpū rising above the horizon
NEWS
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The eight tangata whenua iwi of Te Tauihu are collectively leading Kōpū.
Iwi Chief Executives have assumed responsibility and oversight of the programme, with a dedicated project governance group ‘Ringa Tohu’ as a subcommittee of the Iwi CE Forum.
The eight tangata whenua iwi of Te Tauihu are:
Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitāne o Wairau, and Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui.
NEWSLETTER
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT
We’re building something extraordinary — and we want you with us.
Whether you’re a creative, a community member, or a potential partner, there are many ways to engage.