At the Incubator Creative Hub, we are deeply committed to uplifting and celebrating Toi Māori (Māori art) as an integral part of our cultural identity and creative community. We believe Toi Māori should be celebrated, appreciated, and mainstreamed into our collective consciousness. From rangatahi to established artists, we strive to create opportunities that elevate Māori art and storytelling.
It is not just an expression of creativity - it is a window into Te Ao Māori worldview fostering understanding and connection for all people. Māori art (toi Māori) - whether carving (whakairo), weaving (raranga), tattooing (tā moko), or contemporary visual arts - carries these values. Each piece tells a story of whakapapa, mana, and kaitiakitanga, making it more than decoration - it's a living expression of identity and worldview.
OKORORE STUDIOS
We hold Faulkner House with real reverence, mindful of its meaningful history and whakapapa, and consider it a privilege to be its kaitiaki for this chapter of its story.
Okorore Studios occupies a special place within the Incubator whānau. From its beginnings, the space was shaped around a clear kaupapa: to open Faulkner House — generously made available by Tauranga City Council and sitting unused at the time — to grassroots artists, with a dedicated focus on celebrating Toi Māori. Between 2019 and [end year], this took shape as an invited exhibition and studio programme for Māori, Pasifika, and indigenous artists, delivered by a wonderful line-up of wāhine toi ringatoi, including long-standing kaitiaki Hayley Smith, whose years of manaaki and support for rangatahi and emerging ringatoi left a lasting legacy. Hayley now focuses on her own practice, and we're deeply grateful for everything she gave to this space and the artists who came through it.
This focus was always our own initiative and vision for the space — identifying a gap for grassroots Māori and Pasifika artists at that time.
With that programme now complete and its outcomes something we're incredibly proud of, the landscape around us has changed too — many more opportunities now exist for Māori and Pasifika artists across Tauranga, and the gap we set out to address has closed. Okorore Studios has evolved accordingly: today it's home to a diverse community of resident artists, spanning emerging to established practitioners, first-time exhibitors and teachers alike — including a connection with the wonderful Turning Point Trust, supporting students on their own toi Māori journey through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
We acknowledge the immense contributions of the wāhine toa who shaped Okorore's early evolution, including Hayley Smith, Arohanoa Mathews and Kalena Egan. Since 2019, 20 resident indigenous artists have held space within our hub, enriching our community with their creativity and cultural narratives
a foundation we continue to build on.
All of this has been achieved without dedicated pūtea (funding), relying instead on the generosity of our team, volunteers, and inspirational guidance from our community.
Something Human by Mathew Johnson and Ila-Rose HepetemaSat, 29 AugThe Incubator Creative Hub
WHANAUNGATANGA IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY
At the Incubator Creative Hub, we believe whanaungatanga (kinship and connection) is the heartbeat of a thriving arts community. In the context of Toi Māori and creative practice, these relationships foster collaboration, mentorship and collective strength - ensuring artists, audiences and cultural knowledge flourish together.
"He waka eke noa" - "We are all in this waka together:
Remembering Matua Peri Kohu
Ka maumahara tonu mātou ki a Peri Kohu – te kaumatua o Ngāi Tamarāwaho, te pou herenga mō tō mātou mahi toi. Mō tō manaaki, mō tō aroha, mō tō kaha ki te ārahi.
Moe mai rā e te rangatira.
We will always remember Matua Peri Kohu – Ngāi Tamarāwaho, the anchor of our toi Māori work. For your encouragement, your wisdom, your strength in guiding us and your talent performing at our events.
Rest in Peace
Past Events
Te Waka o Rangi: Stories Written in the Stars An Exhibition by Students of Northern Health SchoolSat, 04 JulThe Incubator Gallery
Cera'muka Exhibition of Ceramics by Hayley SmithSat, 04 JulThe Pot House
Matariki Stars Workshop - FreeFri, 03 JulThe Creative Community Campus
New Collection at The Artist Window GallerySat, 29 NovThe Artist Window Gallery
Te Kohinga Atua - an Exhibition by Toi ShenanigansSat, 29 NovOkorore Ngā Toi Māori Gallery and Studio
He Kokonga Ngākau - Exhibition by Ila-Rose HepetemaSat, 06 SeptOkorore Ngā Toi Māori Gallery and Studio
September Street Party Arts CelebrationFri, 05 SeptThe Incubator Creative Hub
Te Manawataki O Te Papa 3.30pm - 4.15pmWed, 13 AugVillage Community Cinema
Te Manawataki O Te Papa 12pm - 12.45pmTue, 12 AugVillage Community Cinema
Ngā Tae o te Taiao - Painting with WhenuaThu, 17 JulThe Creative Community Campus
Ngā Tae o te Taiao - Painting with WhenuaThu, 26 JunThe Creative Community Campus
NGĀ TOI MĀORI: CELEBRATING OUR PAST EVENTS AND ARTISTS
Explore our catalogue of past events celebrating Ngā Toi Māori (Māori arts) and the talented Māori artists and craftspeople who bring them to life. From exhibitions and workshops to performances and wānanga (learning sessions), this collection highlights the richness of Māori creativity and cultural expression. Dive into our archives to rediscover inspiring moments and the enduring legacy of Māori art.
