Miharo Murihiku

Miharo Murihiku Kia ora and welcome to Mīharo 🌺
We are a Māori and Pasifika Cultural Arts Trust based in Murihiku.

Each year we run a number of exhibitions, workshops, programmes and events that support and uplift our Māori and Pasifika communities 💛 Mīharo Murihiku Trust works to contribute to a richer community by celebrating Māori and Pasifika cultures for all to value. Our events include the following:
- Murihiku and Central Lakes Polyfest Cultural Festival
- Murihiku and Central Lakes Art Exhibitions
- Yo

uth Mentor Programme
- Workshops
- Visual and performing arts
- Community art projects
- Educator workshops



For more information visit our website.

Tālofa lava 🌿 For Samoan Language Week, we are honoured to share this beautiful 'Fue', a sacred symbol of Samoan oratory...
04/06/2026

Tālofa lava 🌿

For Samoan Language Week, we are honoured to share this beautiful 'Fue', a sacred symbol of Samoan oratory and leadership 🎤

Traditionally used by tulāfale/Matai (talking chiefs) and high chiefs during lauga (ceremonial speeches), the fue represents the power of language, storytelling, genealogy, and cultural protocol within Samoan society 📖

The whisk of the fue is made from ʻafa (braided coconut husk), one of the most significant materials in Samoan culture. ʻAfa has many uses across Samoan life, from fishing and house building to tattooing and ceremonial adornment– this material reflects the resourcefulness and deep cultural knowledge of Samoan communities 💡

Lauga, the art of oratory, is one of Samoa’s most respected language arts 🖌️ Through speech, speakers honour ancestors, guide ceremony, uphold relationships, and carry forward the wisdom of past generations ⭐️ The movements of the fue before a speech begins are part of this respected tradition and protocol 💛

Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa 🇼🇸

Source: Te Papa Tongarewa Collections Online, “Fue (fly whisk),” 7th Generation Collection.

02/06/2026

Today we are celebrating Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week- with a clip from our rangatahi! 🌺

2 weeks ago the rangatahi in our youth mentoring programme, Whakamanahia Te Rangatahi, had the incredible opportunity to take part in a workshop led by artist Ana Teofilo 😍 Through this experience they learned about Ana's amazing artwork, various carving and design techniques, and how to tell stories using Polynesian patterns and motifs ☀️

The rangatahi created their own pieces of art using these techniques, and the results were absolutely incredible 💛

Thank you so much to Ana for sharing her time and talents with our rangatahi 🎨 Fa'afetai tele lava x

Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! 🇼🇸The 2026 theme for Samoa Language Week is:“‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le ...
30/05/2026

Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! 🇼🇸

The 2026 theme for Samoa Language Week is:
“‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu‘u” From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.

We encourage you all to take part in celebrating this special week, whether that be by supporting our local Samoan community through attending kaupapa, learning more about Samoan culture, or even learning and speaking the language. 🌺

Fa’afetai tele lava

25/05/2026

"Welkam Long Vanuatu" is on display now at Mīharo Murihiku Trust 🌺

Over the past 7 days, our whare has been filled with the beautiful sounds, stories, colours, and craftsmanship of Vanuatu 🇻🇺

Our kaimahi have loved learning more about each piece in this special exhibition, featuring portraits by Katherine Buess, as well as woven works, carved drums, and handcrafted taonga; all carrying stories from across the islands 🖼️

Every piece of this collection holds deep connections to community, culture, and everyday life in Vanuatu 💛

It has been a privilege for our team to display these works in our gallery and share them with our Murihiku community. We are deeply grateful to Katy and Rob for trusting us with this collection, and for the aroha and relationships that sit behind every piece 💫

Tankyu tumas to everyone who joined us for the opening and helped bring "Welkam Long Vanuatu" to life here at Mīharo: The Tindall Foundation, Community Trust South, ILT, and ILT Foundation, your contributions to this kaupapa are invaluable 🥰

📍 This exhibition is open until July 1st, our gallery hours are
Tuesday–Friday, 9am–5pm 📆

Tonight we celebrated the graduation of our Rangatahi, Marketing & Design Lead, Anjelina 🤍Anjelina has completed 6 weeks...
22/05/2026

Tonight we celebrated the graduation of our Rangatahi, Marketing & Design Lead, Anjelina 🤍

Anjelina has completed 6 weeks of workshops with the Southland Youth Leadership Academy, a kaupapa that supports emerging young leaders in our community 🙌🏽

Anjelina has learned some valuable skills around governance, strategy and leadership, and she is excited to bring these back to our rangatahi! 🥰

Thank you to Angee Shand and the team at ILT for sponsoring her place in this initiative, and to Southland Business Chamber and Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation for facilitating this amazing programme ⭐️

➡️ MĪHARO MURIHIKU POLYFEST 🙌🏽The comm's have officially begun! 🔊We’re so excited to share that bookings for DAILY perfo...
14/05/2026

➡️ MĪHARO MURIHIKU POLYFEST 🙌🏽

The comm's have officially begun! 🔊

We’re so excited to share that bookings for DAILY performances at will be opening next week! 📅

📩 We encourage all kaiako to please check your email inbox, including spam/junk folders, to ensure you don’t miss important information.

If you’re unable to locate the communications, please email [email protected] and we’ll send everything directly to you 📬

❗️ Please note: Communications about the night shows (Community Night Showcase and Rangatahi Toa) will be sent separately at a later date 😊

Meitaki Ranuinui 💛

📸 Photos by Studio Jubb, Artwork by Pua Kuresa

13/05/2026

✨ NIGHT of the ARTS ✨ is the Arts Murihiku annual street-takeover!

Join us from 5pm-9pm this Friday where Don Street, Dee Street, and the Connections Arcade will be transformed into a hub of live performances, hands-on creativity, and unexpected encounters 🎭

This year there is also the addition of food trucks, so you can grab a kai while you explore the inner city 💛

Our gallery will be open with "UNWRITTEN, YET KNOWN: A Journey of Intuitive Carving" by Ana Teofilo, and we'll also have prints, merch, and other pieces for sale, as well as some live singing from our rangatahi 🎶

See you there! 🌸

☀️ WELKAM LONG VANUATU ☀️As we celebrate the final week of our current exhibition, "UNWRITTEN, YET KNOWN: A Journey of ...
12/05/2026

☀️ WELKAM LONG VANUATU ☀️

As we celebrate the final week of our current exhibition, "UNWRITTEN, YET KNOWN: A Journey of Intuitive Carving" by the exceptionally talented Ana Teofilo, we also begin preparations for our next exhibition–

“WELKAM LONG VANUATU” 🇻🇺
Art mo ol handikraft blong Vanuatu wetem ol portrait blong Katherine Buess.

This exhibition is a display of art and crafts from the islands of Vanuatu in Melanesia. It's a special opportunity for us to showcase crafts made by local artisans across Vanuatu, alongside portraits created by local artist and collector Katherine Buess ❤️

We express our heartfelt gratitude to Katy for sharing the experiences from her many years spent with Volunteer Service Abroad, which have helped bring together this beautiful collection of artwork and stories 🖼️

From this collection you can expect to see beautifully woven baskets, wood prints, portraits, and much more 💫

📍 “WELKAM LONG VANUATU” will be on display from Friday 22nd May until Tuesday 30th June at the Mīharo Gallery (28 Don Street, Invercargill)

📆 Gallery hours:
Tuesday–Friday | 9:00am–5:00pm

We warmly invite you to come and visit these treasures, learn more about the crafts of Vanuatu, and perhaps even secure one for yourself 🥰

Tenkyu Tumas ! 🌺

Noa'ia! 💛Alongside celebrating our Pacific language weeks in 2026, we are also introducing a new initiative to share ins...
12/05/2026

Noa'ia! 💛

Alongside celebrating our Pacific language weeks in 2026, we are also introducing a new initiative to share insights into Pacific cultural art forms! 🖌️

This is a space for us to grow in knowledge and appreciation of our diverse Pacific cultures and the practices that shape them 🌺

A significant cultural treasure in Rotuma is the ‘apei sala ⭐️

The ‘apei sala is a finely woven white mat made from sa‘aga (pandanus). It holds deep cultural importance, is central to ceremonial life, and is considered one of the most prestigious items used in Rotuman ceremonies 🌿

When an ‘apei is gifted, it is customary for the receiving family to prepare a feast, often including a pig cooked in an earth oven (koua) and fekei (a pudding made from cassava starch, coconut cream, and sugar). This practice reflects the mana and cultural significance of the mat within Rotuman society 💛


Reference:

Yates, R. (2022, May 11). Recent acquisitions: ‘apei and monuma from Rotuma. Te Papa’s Blog. https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2022/05/11/recent-acquisitions-apei-and-monuma-from-rotuma/

Photo from Rotuman Language Week at Te Papa, 2021, by Jo Moore. Te Papa (196358)

Our lucky last language week of the year - Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik !!! 🇸🇧 The 2025 theme is ‘Protektim langguis...
24/11/2025

Our lucky last language week of the year - Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik !!! 🇸🇧

The 2025 theme is ‘Protektim langguis an kalsa blong yumi’ Protect our language and culture.

This theme is a reminder of how important it is to look after Pijin language and culture. Solomon Islands language and culture are not only beautiful and deeply meaningful, they’re a huge part of who our Solomon Islands brothers and sisters are.

One of the simplest ways we can help protect the language is by using it, sharing it, speaking it proudly, and supporting those who keep it alive.

Check out mpp.govt.nz for some awesome resources to help you learn more 🌺
Tagio tumas, thank you very much !

Address

28 Don Street
Invercargill

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

027 352 3999

Website

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