Art in the City is a creative initiative to transform empty shop windows and spaces into vibrant showcases for local art. By bringing colour, light and imagination into the spaces we pass every day, the project aims to bring a sense of aroha and creativity to revitalize the unique character of the city. You will see windows popping up with local creativity over the next few months. Some feature the work of local artists. Other windows are project based collaborations to showcase community creativity.  Below is more detail about each of the installations. The info will tell you about the projects, the artists, and the intention behind the work.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to acknowledge Rongowhakaata as mana whenua of our city centre in relation to this project. Here is a link to their website Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust This project is generously supported by Gisborne District Council and Trust Tairāwhiti, and plays a small part towards the wider City Centre Revitalisation Programme. TAIRAWHITI   WILDLIFE STARS Hospice Tairāwhiti and Tairāwhiti Environment Centre Collaboration.  38 Peel St. Seven of Tairāwhiti’s wildlife creatures have been produced as giant soft sculptures by groups of young enthusiasts. Art in the City brought Tairāwhiti Environment Centre and Hospice Tairāwhiti together to collaborate. With both sharing a strong environmental stance and commitment to working towards a sustainable future, it seemed a recipe for success.  Resources and knowledge came together to create a learning and making experience for children through fun hectic school holiday workshops. They learnt about some of the amazing creatures in our region and set about recreating them for an art display which would showcase their creations alongside information about the animals. The making journey has been fun and colourful and the end result delivers a fun and educational window for inner city pedestrians which highlights some of our most special and vulnerable critters.  Special thanks to Hospice Tairāwhiti and the Environment Centre, the sewing leaders, the participating children, DOC, Rebecca Pettitt and Kenzie Sampson.  TINY GALLERY Outside entry - HB Williams Memorial Library – 35 Peel St. There is a flash new gallery in town! Three floors of crisp white walls, floor to ceiling glass, and the best part…its filled with young local talent! The Tiny Gallery is located outside the Peel Street entrance of the library. The small space is currently being curated by the talented Steph Barnett who has been commissioned to deliver six shows over the course of a year.  Steph shares her creative learnings with rangitahi through the IDEA School at EIT so we’re looking forward to seeing what they are going to roll out. The first show is a collaboration with the SPCA where you can see illustrated drawings from the level 4 IDEA students of some of the adorable dogs and cats waiting for a home. The second show is filled with handmade, handpainted snails by Yr 10 Campion College students. The show comes with a seasonal message to slow down. Thanks Steph and students for making another corner of our city a lot more interesting.  HAPORI By Michelle Hinekura Kerr - Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Whakatohea, Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Raukawa - 63 Gladstone Road This work celebrates the people and communities of Te Tairāwhiti, creating a space where everyone feels acknowledged and included. The installation encourages connection and positivity, bringing energy and vibrancy to the city centre while engaging viewers both close-up and from a distance. It reflects the stories, histories, and contributions of the region, inviting all to see themselves as part of a shared community.  Strands of beads are the core of the work. Harakeke beads represent the strength of interwoven communities, beads with inspiring words offering encouragement to the people, and reflective glass beads mirroring viewers, reminding them of their place in our woven tapestry. Lastly, bought together in the woven vessel, these elements bring the idea of unity, connection, and resilience to life, highlighting the vibrancy and diversity of Te Tairāwhiti.  Michelle Hinekura Kerr is a kairaranga, artist, curator, and wisdom keeper of Te Whare Pora . Descending from a whānau of weavers, Michelle continues the creative legacy of her whanau, honouring the intergenerational weaving matauranga continuity. Her work embodies the renewal and transmission of this body of knowledge for future generations. At the forefront of Michelle’s practice is the indigenous fibre arts, supported by painting and curatorial work. While her art practice appears contemporary at first glance, it is deeply grounded in kaupapa and tradition, expressing stories of whakapapa, connection, and cultural resilience.  “Ka tipu te whaihanga e hika, ki Uawa!” — Let creativity flourish, my dear, in Uawa! INFINITUDE By Leah McCann - 58 Gladstone Road The concept of endless possibility is explored through colour, texture and form as a visual reminder that when we focus our energy and imagination, anything is achievable. The painting and the text form a unified visual and emotional statement, creating a moment of quiet inspiration in the heart of the CBD — a reminder that creativity, resilience, and hope are living forces within us all. Leah is an abstract and intuitive artist based in Gisborne.  You can see several of her murals around town. ‘I don’t plan my paintings — I simply begin, letting colour, movement, and instinct guide me. The objective of all my art is simple: to create a good feeling. Whether that’s joy, calm, or comfort, I want the viewer to leave with a lifted spirit. Ultimately, my art is about emotion — about leaving people feeling a little lighter, a little warmer, and reminded of the beauty that surrounds us every day.’ 5 POSTERS Lily Paris West - 46 Gladstone Road Initially inspired by a love of the weathered sign writing around Gisborne, this archival project documents forgotten signage, symbols and objects from the region, remixing them respectfully with a spirit of fun and bright colour, into new words and designs. The project is research-based and plays into Lily’s strengths as a designer of unique, maximalist, uber colourful posters. The end result – a series of 5 posters that make our city the main event. If you look a little closer, you may find something familiar! Lily is an independent maker with a playful, multidisciplinary practice that bridges art and commercial design. ‘My practice is an evolving journey in play, colour and deep research. I’m an eternal fan of bright projects that support culture, social values, and hospitality. For the over a decade I have been involved in contributing visual culture to the arts community and businesses as a designer and artist.  I have received national awards for my work in creative design, book design and music. More info can be found on my website.  Originally from Te Whanganui a Tara, I have spent every summer in Gisborne for the last 10 years and am now based here. It has been a great joy to discover so much visual wonder in the rich and complex history of the area; I hope with this project to deepen my understanding of the area and to share my findings back to the city.’

Your Guide to wellness & movement around Tairāwhiti The Yoga Room Facebook Instagram Location: Upstairs at 113 Gladstone Road, Gisborne, 4010 Email: gillianlewis74@gmail.com Phone: 0210414990 | 068672973 Classes: Hatha | Beginners | Hatha Floor Yoga | Birthlight Pregnancy | Restorative | 60s Plus | Yoga Nidra | Pranyama Authentic Pilates Facebook Instagram Location: 114 Bright Street, 4010, Gisborne Email: fabio@authenticpilates.net.nz Phone | Text 0278066478 Classes: Private | Mat Wall | Mat Classes | Pilates Gold Specialising In: Yin| Mat Pilates | Trauma Informed Reset Yoga Instagram Facebook Location: Level 2, 38 Childers Rd, 4010, Gisborne Email: contact@reset.net.nz Phone: 0274215808 Classes: Studio Yoga Classes | Reiki Sessions | Online Yoga Classes | Specialising In: Hatha Yoga | Vinyasa Flow | Yin Yoga | Hot Yoga Series Kiri Yoga Facebook Instagram Location: 113 Gladstone Rd (upstairs to the right) Email: kirisutherland@hotmail.com Phone: 02102789225 Classes: Yoga Classes | Online Yoga Classes Specialising: Ashtanga Yoga | Broga | Sangraha Yoga Pilates With Tilly Instagram Location: Yoga Coast Plus, 46 Makorori Beach Road, Makorori, 4073 Email: tillyhxdges@gmail.com Phone: 0273311032 Classes: Pilates Specialising: Tone, Sculpt & Flow To The Root With Natali Instagram Location: Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council, 241 Gladstone Road, Gisborne Email: natali.totheroot@gmail.com Phone: 0211402576 Classes: Community Yoga Classes | Online Yoga | Ayurvedic Consultations | Yoga Events Specialising: Hatha Yoga | Ayurveda| Holistic Habit Change Heart Space Facebook Instagram Location: Gisborne Email: becs@heartspace.co.nz Phone: 021913318 Classes: Yoga Classes | Breathwork & Meditation | Ayurveda Specialising: Hatha Yoga | Meditations & Mindfulness | Breathwork Courses | Yoga Nidra | Ayurveda | Digestive Health |Seasonal Resets | Sleep Silent Flute Taijiquan Facebook Location: Anytime Gym, Gisborne Email: mikebaker916@hotmail.com Phone: N/A Classes: Taijiquan Classes | Personal Trainer Specialising: Solo Forms | Partnered Routines | Self Defence | Weapons |Myofascial Release Therapy Masseur |Community Strength & Balance Coordinator The Sauna Project Facebook Instagram Location: Tatapouri Bay, Gisborne Email: Contact Phone: N/A Classes: Sauna | Silent Sauna | Morning Sauna Specialising: N/A Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Facebook Instagram Location: Tairāwhiti, Gisborne Email: manager@tairawhititrails.nz Phone: N/A Classes: Tracks & Trails | Walking | Biking Specialising: N/A Ayurwell - Holistic Health Through Ayurveda Facebook N/A Instagram Location: Inner Kaiti, Gisborne Email: hello@ayurwell.co.nz Phone: 027 292 8864 Classes: Ayurvedic Treatments  | Ayurvedic Detox Programs  | Ayurvedic Education | Ayurvedic Consultation | Ayurveda Products Specialising: 13+ years practising and living Ayurveda First Light Face Yoga NZ Facebook Instagram Location: Gisborne Email: FirstlightFY@hotmail.com Phone: Classes: In-Person/Online Small Group Classes | In-Person/Online One-on-One Sessions Specialising: First Certified Face Yoga Method Teacher in New Zealand, trained under Fumiko Takatsu, the internationally recognised founder.  Total Body Power Plate Facebook Instagram Location: 6 reads quay marina view building 4010 Email: totalbodypowerplate@gmail.com Phone: 02108347868 Classes: Powerplate Memberships Specialising in: PowerPlate

Story by Aimee Milne “Ka ora ngā tāngata i te pūrākau, ka ora te pūrākau i ngā tāngata”  People are healed by the story, and the story is healed by the people - Hine Pūrākau  Writing stories is nothing but human connection. Sharing your personal story; the good, the obstacles overcome, the deepest fears, the greatest hopes, the grief and shame, allows other people to relate to your humanness. Not everyone will accept your vulnerability without judgment so it’s an act of bravery to tell your story anyway.  When I met Rahera and Matawai Solomon I was disarmed by their authenticity. I walked into the interview tired and middle-aged but I swear I walked out younger, revived by the passion of this dynamic young couple new to town. They have separate stories that are rich on their own, but woven together, they become more brightly textured. You find yourself leaning in, wanting to hear what comes next. The couple had a creatively catalytic meeting 6 years ago   on a dating app which has enhanced both their lives and their individual talents. Matawai is from here, he uri nō Rongowhakaata me Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki. Talent runs in his family, you’ve probably seen his musician dad around town, T Bonez Entertainment (Thomas Solomon).   As a kid, Matawai grew up in various places. France and Australia included. At school in Australia he enriched his predominantly white classmates by teaching them kapa haka. He is a natural performer and from a young age he was starring in plays and winning talent quests and dance competitions.  Rahera is from Rotorua but has Ngāti Porou nui tonu, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti whakapapa and was also performing from a young age. She shared the stage with Suzanne Prentice and Frankie Stevens as a young singer and she writes her own songs, poetry, and plays. Her most recent work in progress is a play about her non-verbal takiwātanga (autistic) son. The play has no dialogue but uses taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments), physical gesture and expression. It is currently in development and (hopefully) we will be the lucky first audience when it is ready. Rahera is an easy conversationalist and her honesty is refreshing. Childhood trauma derailed her life for a few years, but she successfully completed an 18 month stint in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction and has been in recovery ever since. Matawai was still actively drinking when he met ‘the love of his life.’ “It could have gone the other way,” says Matawai “I had a box of beers and she was going to have one. I didn’t want her to relapse, so I told her no.” Then he realised that he didn’t like his own behaviour when he was drinking either, so he quit alcohol and joined Rahera in recovery. This is the power of story and connection. Young humans pulling each other up to the next level. And they want to lift up other rangatahi too.  Rahera worked as an addictions counsellor and has designed a communication workshop called Hine Pūrākau. She and Matawai will be running the first workshop on Saturday 24th of Jan at 100 Grey St, level 2. It is free to attend and is open to all. The workshop is about communicating difficult conversations, or just improving communication in general. Couples, workmates, managers, whanau, anyone is welcome! Hine Pūrākau as the name suggests is entwined with story. Their work blends ‘indigenous wisdom, trauma-informed practice, lived experience, and creative storytelling to support intergenerational healing’ and reconnection to self, whānau and origin. You can read more about it on their website   and Facebook .  As if that’s not enough goodness for us, Rahera and Matawai will also be running a poetry slam night.   Again, everyone is welcome, especially rangatahi who write. Whether that be song writing, rap or poetry. You don’t have to perform but you will be in for a treat. You’ll have the privilege of seeing the recent regional winners, and finalists of the national poetry slam competition perform (Wellington Poetry Slam). That’s Rahera and Matawai. Like I said, they’re talented. Ridiculously talented.  That was their first time entering the competition, but they noticed there was no other representation from Te Tairāwhiti, the closest was Te Matau a Māui/Hawkes Bay representatives. With that in mind they aim to give the talent here a space to build and to help encourage more locals to enter the Wellington based competition. If you want a safe space to perform, or just to soak up some of that youthful, optimistic passion, come along to Gizzy Local on Thursday January 22, from 6pm-8pm.  WORKSHOP registration here