Christina Wirihana

Christina Hurihia Wirihana (b 1949) is a New Zealand weaver from Te Arawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangiunora, Ngāti Raukawa, Tainui iwi. She attributes Dame Rangimarie Hetet, Diggeress Te Kanawa and Emily Schuster as major influences but states her mother, Matekino Lawless as being her most significant teacher. Wirihana is currently a senior lecturer at Toihoukura, a Māori visual arts school within the Eastern Institute of Technology.

Her weaving is often an exploration of natural materials and processes. "In my weaving I am continually inspired by the surrounds of my maunga (mountain) Matawhaura, moana tapu Rotoiti (Lake Rotoiti), my marae Taurua and especially my whanau (family)."

Wirihana is the Chairperson of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa (National Collective of Māori Weavers in New Zealand). In 2014 this collective of weavers exhibited 49 tukutuku panels in Kāhui Raranga: The Art of Tukutuku at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. These panels are to be installed early 2015 at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

Wirihana has received numerous funding from Creative New Zealand to develop new work and travel overseas for residencies, the most recent being a 2014 artist residency in Hawaii. In 2003 Wirihana received Te Tohu Toi Kē from Te Waka Toi Creative New Zealand for making a positive development within Māori arts. Wirihana is a lifelong member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League.

Wirihana has exhibited, attended symposia and residencies both nationally and internationally including:

• 2014 Māori Art Market Wellington
• 2009 Plastic Māori The Dowse Art Museum
• 2006 Artist Residency Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington
• 1998 Kanak Cultural Centre, Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre Nouméa
• 1992 Seven Māori Weavers Christchurch
• 1991 Ngā Kaupapa Here Aho Te Taumata, Auckland
• 1991 Te Moemoea nō Iotefa Sarjent Gallery, Whanagnui
• 1990 Ngā wahine Toa Rotoruatamati
• 1990 Kohia Ko Taikaka Anake National Art Gallery Wellington