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Matariki

Takurua is a significant period for tangata whenua. It’s when Matariki, the Māori New Year, approaches, and it’s therefore particularly timely to celebrate tangata whenua and their experiences.

Like the constellations, in our day-to-day lives we often cluster together around points of commonality – our families, clubs, workplaces, hometowns or shared cultures. Whilst we all find valuable connection in shared experiences, at Shepherdess we strive to create a space where wāhine around the motu can share their individual journeys with others and have a moment to shine.

We created this page to act as a space for our indigenous stories, and each Matariki we will update this to revisit stories from over the past year.

Wool-handler Esther Kidd throws a fleece during shearing

The Ebb and Flow

Now a professor in marine science and aquaculture, Kura looks at innovative ways to restore Te Wahapū o Waihī – the Waihī Estuary – in Te Moana-a-Toi Bay of Plenty and ensure its kai moana can thrive for generations to come.

The Gallery, Takurua Winter Edition 2024

Paperwork from the series Tai timu, tai pari, 2024, whenua pigment on harakeke paper, A4, by Tauranga-based artist Maraea Timutimu (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi).

Wearing Their Kauae

Reflecting on the mokopapa, and the unique path that led each of them to it, Darcia, Challen and Mona-Pauline explore how multifaceted it is to be a wahine Māori exploring her identity in this day and age.

Esther Kidd

The twenty-five-year veteran and Leading Charge Hand with Spain and Smith Shearing Contractors lays out what it takes to get through a day, and what keeps her going.

A Movement in the Māra

Bry Kopu, 51, and Te Raumahora Hema, 39, find synergy in their love for te taiao, and for their tūrangawaewae – Ngāmotu New Plymouth.

Bringing people together with kai in the southernmost town in Aotearoa

Haylee-Chanel Simeon, 38, is the creative force behind restaurant Hayz @ The Anchorage, based in Bluff, Murihiku Southland.

Mairangi sits in front of her marae, Onetahua.

Digital still image of rocks and water, part of an art exhibition

The Gallery, Takurua Winter 2023

“These photographs traverse stages of change that depict my creative mauri as an entity, and how my mauri was affected in environments that held trauma and potential.”

Fiona Collis on Reaching Beyond Her Local Patch

Fiona is a fibre and textiles artist using traditional knowledge and practices handed down by her ancestors to experiment with traditional Māori textiles.

Kara Boyes – Short Film

On a farm that has been in her family for a century is a delightful sanctuary where Kara Boyes, 31, practises mirimiri. After years overseas, traveling and exploring her interests in traditional healing, Kara felt the call to return to her home in Pahoia – and to the healing methods of her tūpuna. Here she talks to Shepherdess.

A soul’s calling – how traditional healing methods led a ‘wanderer’ home to her whenua

Nestled away on a farm that has been in her family for a century is a delightful sanctuary where Kara Boyes (Ngāpuhi, Tapuika, Ngāti Raukawa) practises mirimiri. After years overseas, traveling and exploring her interests in traditional healing, Kara, 41, felt the call to return to her home in Pahoia – and to the healing methods of her tūpuna.