Welcome back Te Tuhi!
Te Tuhi is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost contemporary art spaces as well as a hub of community groups and activities. It's home to Howick Youth Council, Arts Out East, and Te Tuhi Café (Aotearoa’s first training café for people with intellectual disabilities).
Last year they celebrated 50 years since the opening of the Pakuranga Community Centre which merged with the Fisher Gallery in 2001 to become Te Tuhi. Unfortunately the building suffered from bad flooding in mid 2025 which forced them to close parts of the building. The silver lining is that they've built back better!
Slight adjustments to a few walls has opened up the main foyer, providing more space and light. Polished concrete floors throughout help bring the spaces together. And colourful Atarangi II (artist Michael Parekōwhai) is back in its new location.
This morning they held a small gathering to acknowledge the new space and in true Te tuhi style it was informal, lively, and well catered! I attended with Howick Local Board Chair Bruce Kendall and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces.
Their first exhibition opens on Sunday 1 March but the café and community spaces are open from today!