Mary Potter Hospice has unveiled a series of toi screens created by local artists Kauia Moriarty and Vianney Parata, bringing pūrakau and whakapapa into its inpatient spaces.
At Mary Potter Hospice, Te Whare Tapa Whā is already woven into the way people are cared for. It’s a model of care you come to recognise over time, in small but meaningful ways. Through their mahi toi, the artists express this model of care in a way people can see and understand all at once.
Te Whare Tapa Whā has long guided the way we care for people here. These artworks reflect that in the space, alongside the aroha and manaakitanga that surround patients and their whānau every day.
Each screen reflects a different dimension of wellbeing, connecting mātauranga Māori with the reality of hospice care. Through their mahi toi, the artists express:
- Pū te Hue – Taha Whenua, reflecting the environment that holds and supports people, especially in times of grief and change.
- Hinenuitepō – Taha Wairua, acknowledging the transition from te ao kikokiko to te ao wairua.
- Kopa – Taha Hinengaro, inspired by the ruru as kaitiaki, guiding awareness and inner reflection.
- Mako – Taha Whānau, expressing unity, strength and collective support.
- Raukawakawa – Taha Tinana, symbolising healing, care and comfort for the body.
The works are part of the hospice’s Culturally Appropriate Spaces Project at Mary Potter Hospice. This kaupapa has been shaped by artists, staff, cultural advisors and the wider community, reflecting a shared commitment to creating spaces that feel culturally safe, welcoming and grounded in te ao Māori.
The screens were manufactured by Aotearoa-based company Versare and meet infection prevention standards, allowing them to function safely within a clinical environment while still carrying cultural meaning.
For Mary Potter Hospice, this kaupapa reflects a commitment to hauora in its fullest sense, where care honours not only the tinana, but also the wairua, hinengaro, whānau and whenua that surround each person.