Exhibition lights the way for Māori design

The Kōpū exhibition has concluded after a five-week run at Refinery ArtSpace, attracting over 1,000 visitors and energising a movement that now moves well beyond the gallery walls.

The exhibition brought together a suite of iwi-led design projects shaping a new chapter for the city, creating an exhibition that was as much about dialogue as display.

Visitors explored concept designs, engaged with interactive models, and added their voices to a conversation about place-making and identity in Whakatū. The response was powerful. 

A highlight was the interactive section on Playspace Whakatū — a project planned for Rutherford Park, inspired by the cultural narrative of Te Wheke o Muturangi. Visitors could engage directly with a 3D model, design sketches, and an interactive game that invited them to explore and contribute ideas.

Kōpū also featured a special tamariki colouring competition led by local illustrator Mat Tait, providing a creative outlet for younger visitors to engage with the kaupapa in their own way.

Refinery ArtSpace noted that many visitors returned multiple times, bringing friends or whānau to continue the discussion. Some stayed for hours, exploring the layers of meaning and imagining how the designs could take shape across the city.