Dunedin’s Araiteuru Marae will host the inaugural Pātaka Ora Summer Art Exhibition & Auction on November 24, 2025, from 5pm to 9pm at the Shetland Street marae. The event features works from rangatahi (youth) to tohunga toi (experienced artists), including paintings, ceramics, and photography, alongside music, conversation, and food. Organized by the volunteer Pātaka Ora committee, the auction aims to raise funds for the marae’s community wellbeing kitchen, which has provided 18 meal services so far this year.
This event matters because it blends art with grassroots community support, using a local exhibition and auction to sustain a vital food program. It highlights how marae serve as hubs for cultural connection and social welfare in Aotearoa New Zealand, while also providing a platform for local artists of all ages. The initiative underscores the power of volunteer-driven efforts to address food insecurity through creative fundraising.