Tautai Pacific Arts Trust

Tautai Pacific Arts Trust
Tautai Pacific Arts Trust on Karangahape Road, Auckland
Map
Alternative namesTautai
General information
Address300 Karangahape Road,

Auckland CBD,

Auckland,
CountryNew Zealand
Coordinates36°51′28″S 174°45′28″E / 36.85782°S 174.75791°E / -36.85782; 174.75791
Known forNew Zealand Pacific art
Website
https://www.tautai.org/

Tautai Pacific Arts Trust also known as Tautai is a Pacific gallery in Auckland, New Zealand and a charitable trust founded by Fatu Feu'u to empower Pacific arts in New Zealand.[1] The gallery is described as 'a first-of-its-kind Pacific gallery in central Auckland' by Radio New Zealand. Tautai Pacific Arts Trust is a public space serving Pacific artists and the Pacific community of New Zealand.[2]

History

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Fatu Feu'u founded Tautai Pacific Charitable Trust after having a conversation with Colin McCahon in the 1980s, when McCahon told Feu'u that the New Zealand art world was waiting for Pacific artists to make a serious contribution. Tautai was the first Pacific gallery in New Zealand. Fatu Feu'u is still a patron to this day.[1] Fatu Feu'u was appointed an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2001 New Year Honours for his contribution and development to Pacific arts.[3]

The name Tautai draws on the Samoan word for navigator.[4] Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust has provided a sense of community and belonging for the Pacific community in New Zealand for over 30 years.[5] Tautai champions Pacific artists, and plays an important role promoting and nurturing the growing Pacific arts community in New Zealand.[6]

Present

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The current location is situated on Karangahape Road, Auckland as of 2020, the new space was opened by then Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dame Jacinda Adern. The building features a sculpture by New Zealand artist Guy Ngan, who identified as Pacific Chinese.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Shute, Gareth (2020-07-07). "From the moana to K Road: A new Auckland home for artists of the Pacific". The Spinoff. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  2. ^ Hopgood, Sela Jane (2020-07-06). "A first-of-its-kind Pacific gallery in central Auckland". RNZ. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  3. ^ "New Year Honours List 2001 | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 2000-12-30. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  4. ^ a b Gaskin, Sam. "Tautai Opening a 'Dream' for Pacific Art Community". Orcula. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  5. ^ "Nigel Borell opens new exhibition in Auckland". RNZ. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. ^ "A Karangahape Rd art gallery is championing Pacific artists". Denizen. 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2023-12-02.