Robyn Kahukiwa: Tohunga Mahi Toi

This beautiful and thought-provoking exhibition is a celebration of pioneering artist Robyn Kahukiwa (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Konohi, Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare).

Robyn’s artistic contributions over recent decades span the changing cultural and political landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery is proud to host this selection of artworks. They provide not only beauty and strength but inroads to maatauranga, with Maaori accounts given proper currency and weight.  

The title 'Tohunga Mahi Toi' refers to Robyn’s status and expertise as an artist, valued here and internationally. Her work has become an alternate visual rendering of Aotearoa’s history, through the lens of a Māori woman.

“Let us acclaim Robyn Kahukiwa. Let us celebrate her art. Let us celebrate the weaving of whakapapa and whānau that she presents us, and entwined with that, always the raising of the wide-reaching capabilities of women. Let us celebrate her gift and her great determination.”

- Roma Potiki (Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa), exhibition curator.

Robyn Kahukiwa: Tohunga Mahi Toi is developed and toured by The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, in partnership with Te Manawa Museum.  

One of the leading artists of her generation, Robyn Kahukiwa was of Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Konohi, Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare, and Te Whānau-a-Te Aotawarirangi descent.

Since the early 1970s, she explored questions of heritage, identity, and sovereignty central to Maaori experience and relevant to indigenous people around the globe. She was at the forefront of artistic development in Aotearoa, working across a variety of media, and acclaimed here and internationally.

In 2020, Creative New Zealand named Kahukiwa as the Supreme Award winner at the 34th Te Waka Toi Awards in recognition of her extensive career as a painter, illustrator, sculptor and author, as well as her unyielding political and cultural commentary.

Robyn Kahukiwa died on 11th April 2025. In a social media post, her whaanau announced her passing at the age of 87 years:

"Ko te reo pōhiri tēnei o te whānau Kahukiwa. Kua hinga te totara haemata o te Wao nui a Tāne a Robyn Kahukiwa inanahi rā. Auē te mamae e ngaukino nei.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robyn Kahukiwa, beloved Mum, Kōka, Nanny, Kuia, and Great Nanny to her mokopuna, widow of Dooley Pera Kahukiwa (dec) Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa.
Māreikura, Wahine Toa, and Tohunga mahi toi Māori Robyn Kahukiwa - of Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Konohi, and Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare descent, passed away peacefully after illness on 11 April 2025 with she said, her kaitiaki near, wrapped in the korowai of aroha and pouritanga of our whānau.

Robyn was a highly regarded Māori artist who exhibited nationally and internationally. She was a staunch supporter of Māori rights, of our Tino Rangatiratanga.
Based on her political beliefs, Robyn turned down state and crown honours awards, however in 2020, Kahukiwa received the Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu | Exemplary/Supreme Award at the Te Waka Toi Awards, in recognition of her life’s work.
My mother and our Nanny Robyn was a courageous Wahine Toa throughout her life and in her passing. She was a private person in her personal life. She always said ‘My art speaks for me.’

...Mum and Nanny, you leave a huge hole in our lives. We love and will miss you so very much. You leave your great legacy of Māori art, and the taonga of your stories and illustrations for us your whānau, your mokopuna, and future generations."