He Kete Iti

He Kete Iti: Contemporary Māori Weaving at Whanganui Regional Museum

Whanganui Regional Museum is pleased to present He Kete Iti, a collaborative exhibition featuring 101 contemporary kete iti (small woven baskets) created by 32 weavers from across Aotearoa. Developed and toured by the Govett‑Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre, the exhibition of new works is presented in harmony with selected historical kete iti from the Museum’s collection.

Led by renowned multimedia artist Dr Maureen Lander MNZM (Ngāpuhi, Te Hikutū), and co‑curated with Taarati Taiaroa (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Apa) the exhibition brings together weavers of varying experience to explore and respond to kete iti held in museum collections.

Whanganui marks the first stop in the exhibition’s national tour, connecting local audiences to a shared kaupapa that spans generations, institutions and communities. He Kete Iti blends contemporary Māori weaving and historic kete to explore how knowledge is generated, shared and sustained through practice, collaboration and intergenerational exchange.

Whanganui weavers Karanga Gundersen, Aroha Ranginui, Nadia Tamihana, Purewa Hodge and Matthew McIntrye Wilson contributed to this kaupapa. Tradition, artistry and imagination are woven together in this remarkable exhibition.

He Kete Iti is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm until 20 July at Whanganui Regional Museum, Pukenamu Queen’s Park, Watt Street. Entry is free, with koha (donations) gratefully accepted to support the Museum’s work.