Whai

Ko Whai tētahi mahi toi i hangaia ki te rama whakamīharo e Janine Williams, ā, he mea whakaaweawe nā te tākaro Māori nei, arā, nā te whai. Kua hoki mai a Whai ki Silo Park i te tau 2025, i tū rā hoki i te tau 2024, ka mutu, kua nui ake, ā, kua tāpua ake tōna hanga.

Ko tā Whai he raranga haere i ngā kōrero tuku iho ki te rama e noho tahi ai ngā mōhiotanga o nehe rā anō ki ngā hoahoa o nāianei. E miramira ana te mahi o tēnei tau i te whakarite me te tākaro i te whai me ōna wero. I te huringa ki tā te ringatoi whakamāori i a Matariki, ko ngā hanga, e whakaata nei i te herekore me te manawanui, ka miramira i tā tātou tino whai i te māramatanga i a tātou e huritao ana ki ngā wā o mua.

Ko te ahurei o te kahurangi i ahu mai i te roa o te ngaru rama e tīaho mai ana i te kāhui whetū. Ko Whai e pupuri ana i ngā tikanga kia ora tonu, he wheako ngātahi e tū ana hei arawhiti mō ngā ahurea, he whakaū hoki kia ngangahau tonu, kia whakanuitia tonutia hoki hei ngā whakatupuranga e haere tonu mai ana.

"E tono ana au i te tangata kia tino uru ki te kēmu mā te ako, mā te whai hononga, mā te hanga, mā te tūhura hoki. Ko tā Whai he whakarite wānanga ā-ringaringa - he wheako e whakakotahi nei i te huinga tangata mā te koa o te waihanga."

— Janine Williams (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Ngāti Mahuta)

Kuhu mai, whāia ngā aho, ka tūhono ai ki te manawataki o Whai.

Whai is a captivating light-based artwork by Janine Williams, inspired by the traditional Māori string game. First presented in 2024, Whai returns to Silo Park in 2025 in a bigger and bolder form.

Blending ancient knowledge with contemporary design, Whai weaves ancestral narratives into light. This year's work highlights the making and playing of whai and the challenges involved. Moving towards the artist's cultural interpretation of Matariki, forms representing freedom and perseverance highlight our need to strive towards enlightenment as we reflect on the past.

The distinctive blue is drawn from the wavelength of light emitted by the star cluster. Whai keeps Māori traditions alive, a shared experience that bridges cultures, ensuring they remain vibrant and celebrated for generations to come.

"I invite people to immerse themselves in the game through learning, connection, creation, and discovery. Whai offers a wānanga of the hands - an experience that brings people together through the joy of making."

— Janine Williams (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Ngāti Mahuta)

Step inside, follow the strings, and connect with the rhythm of Whai.