Join us in welcoming "Khordashi the Dragon," a magnificent sculpture by Marti Wong, poised to guard the Awatea Gallery.

Khordashi the Dragon by Marti Wong

Matariki in Morrinsville – Waikato Wide Collective

27th June to 20th July 2025
Awatea Gallery

Join us in welcoming “Khordashi the Dragon,” a magnificent sculpture by Marti Wong, poised to guard the Awatea Gallery and inspire all who experience the Matariki show.

Marti Wong, a member of the Vessel cooperative, brought his incredible dragon, Khordashi, to guard the Morrinsville Gallery and oversee the Matariki show. The Khordashi sculpture is also for sale—after all, everyone needs their own dragon!

We cherish our new connection with two inspiring art initiatives operating in Thames, namely Vessel and The Ngākau Carving Symposium.

Vessel is a gallery located at 752 Pollen Street in Thames packed with work from their talented collective. It is definitely worth a visit. We are so grateful that many of these artists have contributed to our exhibition that celebrates the spirit of Matariki.

The Ngākau Carving Symposium has generously made some of the incredible carvings and stonework created during their April 2025 event for sale. The symposium is a two-week, live-in workshop for sculptors and carvers, held at Thames South School to foster sculptural creativity and to fundraise for them. Now in its third year, it continues to grow and thrive, so mark your calendars for next year, it culminates in a wonderful community event and auction at the school.

Visit Morrinsville and experience these captivating exhibits for yourself! Discover more about the creative communities in Mighty Waikato, including the Matamata Art Club, which has also contributed artwork. You can find all the organizations on Facebook by searching for their names. We hope to host these talented groups again in dedicated exhibitions, strengthening the connections among creatives in the wider region.

Matariki in Morrinsville –  Waikato Wide Collective

The Morrinsville Gallery is excited to present a remarkable exhibition celebrating the spirit of Matariki in our district and the greater Waikato region. Enjoy “Matariki in Morrinsville” from June 18 to July 20, 2025.

As the center of community art in the Matamata-Piako District, we are thrilled by the enthusiastic response from over 65 artists of all generations, ranging from amateurs to professionals. Discover the rich and diverse interpretations of Matariki created by artists from various areas across Waikato, including Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Matamata, Thames, Coromandel, Te Awamutu, Tamahere, and Hamilton, all of whom have contributed to this artistic call-out.

Our dedicated Curator, Elizabeth Borrows, is leading this project, with the support of our wonderful volunteers who have organized the displayed works across two of our galleries: Whakaaturanga, and Awatea.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to MPD Creative Communities NZ and the Matamata-Piako District Council for their generous support, which has made this exhibition possible.

About the Morrinsville Gallery
The Morrinsville Art Gallery Charitable Trust proudly celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, serving as the heart of community art in the Matamata-Piako District. We are passionate about creating a welcoming and vibrant space for both locals and visitors in Morrinsville and throughout the beautiful Waikato region.

For more information, please contact us at info@morrinsvillegallery.org.nz.