Erena started at Massey as a student. Now, she’s helping shape the artists of tomorrow.
Fresh from Palmerston North Girls High School, Erena enrolled in Massey's Māori Visual Arts programme. The qualification changed how she saw art's power to share Māori voices with the world. After completing her Master's, working as a practicing artist and gaining international recognition, she returned to teach the next generation.
Erena loved her own experience as a student at Massey. Small class sizes meant she could build real relationships with teachers who were active artists. As a student, she experienced the exhibition openings, artist talks and honest kōrero.
"We got to experience what it was like and see first-hand what life might be like after university."
Now she's determined to go further for her students. "I want our students to feel confident to step into spaces that I didn't necessarily feel confident or comfortable stepping into as an emerging wahine Māori artist."
"Having completed the qualification myself allows me to relate to the students easily," Erena explains. Now she's the practicing artist showing students what's possible – from a 14-metre-high weaving in Massey's boiler room or taking students to international exhibitions.
Based at Te Pūtahi-a-Toi School of Māori Knowledge, Māori Visual Arts students take compulsory courses in te reo and tikanga alongside their art practice. "This learning starts to impact the work they make, influenced by who they are. They learn their art can help to be a voice of what they want to say to the world."
Erena’s vision is bold. She wants to see her students on global stages, in major institutions making work for their people and indigenous communities worldwide. "I hope that they don't have any nervousness to step into some of these spaces."
The qualification’s strength lies in its collaborative spirit. The team often shares kai with students to foster what Erena calls "a humble inclusive environment."
“I love the collaborative spirit within our small team, our commitment to our programme is a collective responsibility, fostering a mutually respectful and supportive working relationship that prioritises excellent practice.”
What she loves most is "the opportunity to foster creativity and critical thinking in students through the lens of Māori culture." Guiding students through conceptual thinking, helping them understand cultural and historical meaning, watching them develop confidence – these moments drive her.
“Seeing them develop confidence in their artistic practice and realising their creative ideas is the most fulfilling aspect of my role.”
Outside Massey, Erena juggles a lot. She's a māmā to 3 children in a te reo Māori speaking home with her husband. Her art practice with the Mataaho Collective is another job on its own. "I'm always looking ahead to see what's next and I've got projects lined up for the next few years."
Through her teaching, Erena is helping Māori visual artists find their voice for a world that needs to hear what they have to say. Nearly 30 years after Toioho ki Āpiti began, she's proof of the qualification’s power. She's making sure the next generation flies even higher.
