Freedom Te Reinga Manaia Lee Collins-Hill

Photographer: Symphony Morunga

Photographer: Te Rawhitroa Photography

HE KĀKĀRIKI PŌWHAITERE View work here

TAIOHI 2023

Aboard Ngātokimatawhaorua the gates of the Hokianga consume me. Te Reinga weeps from above, flowing into the awa of Waihou. Whenua flourishing at its finest. Whare hui o Waimirirangi remains, ticking of the projector no more. A place where whānau meet. Nowadays you’ll find me in a room made by water out at a place called Ngunguru.


My toi journey has just begun. My influencers are my Pāpā. He is a professional tutu, interested in everything he is always making. Pāpā's mahi ranges from creating houses from earth to sculpting protest artworks about Shark Fin soup and everything in between. My Dad, although I have not spent much time with him, his artwork was a visual check, like oh yeah I must come from this fulla, art is in my toto. My sister's Dad, Haydn, taught me about funk and reggae dub. He took me away from listening to the mainstream, providing a pathway to appreciate flow and rhythm. He introduced me to an eclectic mix of arts. With painting he provided perspective. Finding shapes, patterns and patterns within patterns. He showed me art can take time.

I appreciate the introduction to mahi toi through Tai o Hī Tai o Hā. It has sparked a drive to discover more techniques and hone my skills as a practitioner. Sinking into mātauranga Māori and Te Reo Rangatira. So that one day I might share my skills, mātauranga and aid in unlocking divine natural ability.