The life and work of master weaver Roka Hurihia Ngarimu-Cameron, MNZM, have taken centre stage in Te Whiri Tuku Iho o Roka – Roka's Woven Legacy, an exhibition at Te Puna Mahara - Cromwell Memorial Events Centre celebrating a lifetime devoted to mahi raranga.
Built over decades, the collection offered a rare glimpse into Roka’s creative world. She combined ancestral techniques with a variety of materials and modern technologies, continually exploring the possibilities of mahi raranga and passing her craft on to those closest to her.
For daughter Lisa Phillips, the exhibition was deeply personal. Having supported her mother through exhibitions over many years and learned the craft as one of her students, taking the lead in presenting the collection meant helping tell her mother’s story from a perspective few others could offer: as both her daughter and her student.
“This exhibition tells the story of our whakapapa, our genealogy, and the people who came before us. Every taonga carries a story, a memory, and a connection to our ancestors. To see those stories brought together and displayed so beautifully in one space has been incredibly special for our whānau,” Lisa said.
“Mum devoted her life to preserving and sharing the traditions of te whare pora. Through her weaving she taught generations of people not only the practical skills, but the history, values, and cultural knowledge that sit behind every piece.”
The exhibition also reunited old friends and introduced new audiences to the wahine behind the work. Lisa and her whānau thanked Kristin O'Sullivan Peren, Te Puna Mahara staff, and the many supporters whose time, expertise and aroha helped bring the collection together. They also acknowledged the guidance and tautoko of local mana whenua, whose contribution was integral to the exhibition.
Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley recognised the generosity behind the exhibition, noting that Roka's whānau had shared far more than treasured works, giving their time, knowledge, and family stories so visitors could connect with her life and work.
Roka's husband of more than 50 years, Kerry Cameron, believed she would have been honoured to share the work of her Te Whare Pora and introduce visitors to the traditions that shaped her life.
Te Whiri Tuku Iho o Roka - Roka’s Woven Legacy has now closed at Te Puna Mahara due to remedial maintenance work required in the exhibition space and the need to protect the precious items on display. The next exhibition for the space will be announced in the coming weeks.
For those who knew and loved Roka, her greatest legacy lies not only in the work she created, but in the generations she inspired and the craft she so generously shared.
