Born in Hāwai and of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui (Te Whānau ā Harāwaka), Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Irish descent, Roka transformed the landscape of contemporary Māori weaving. After a career in social work, she became a respected Māori arts lecturer at the University of Otago, where she inspired generations of weavers while continually challenging and extending the possibilities of customary practice.
Growing up in a traditional whare where weaving was essential to everyday life, Roka inherited generations of knowledge from the wāhine of her whānau. Throughout her career she honoured those traditions while embracing innovation, experimenting with natural materials, exploring ancestral clothing traditions and pioneering the use of computer-aided loom technology to ensure the practice of mahi raranga remained relevant for future generations.
Te Whiri Tuku Iho o Roka brings together works that reflect this lifelong journey, inviting visitors to explore the threads connecting whakapapa, artistry, innovation and cultural identity.
Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley said it was a privilege for Te Puna Mahara's inaugural exhibition to celebrate an artist whose influence continues to shape Māori art across Aotearoa.
"Te Puna Mahara was created to be a place where our stories, creativity and heritage are shared and celebrated. There could be no more fitting first exhibition than one honouring Roka's extraordinary legacy. Her work bridges tradition and innovation, and through this exhibition we hope visitors leave with a deeper appreciation of the richness of Māori weaving and the generations of knowledge it carries."
Roka’s daughter, Lisa Phillips, said sharing her work with the wider community was a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to ensuring the knowledge of mahi raranga would continue to flourish.
"Mum believed weaving was never just about creating beautiful taonga. It was about whakapapa, identity, connection and passing knowledge from one generation to the next. We hope everyone who visits this exhibition can feel her aroha, her generosity as a teacher, and the enduring legacy she leaves for future generations."
The exhibition is free to visit and open daily from 10am to 5pm at Te Puna Mahara - Cromwell Memorial Events Centre, where it will remain on display for approximately six months.
