Miriama Te One: Art educators’ mahi – not just a nice-to-have
29 Sep 2026, Miriama Te One
As an educator, I don’t separate who I am as Māori from how I work – I teach to my strengths and use reo as much as possible. I see my role as a kaiako (educator) at Pātaka Art+Museum as bringing together the arts, the taiao (natural world) and rangatahi (young people). Together we have a sense of responsibility to one another – working towards a sustainable future.
I grew up in Paekākāriki and come from a whānau of educators, musicians and artists. I was brought up connected to my whakapapa and my identity. I always had a strong sense of belonging and that mātauranga Māori, te ao Māori and te reo Māori would open doors for me.
Art is a visual, immersive experience, a vehicle for story-telling, and it’s so important that rangatahi get to engage with cultural institutions like Pātaka. Engaging with the arts supports wellbeing and fosters a sense of belonging – rangatahi get to see how others view the world and, in doing so, realise there are many ways they can ‘be’ in it.
There’s plenty of research demonstrating the benefits of exposing young people to cultural spaces like galleries and museums, particularly around the wellbeing outcomes associated with participation in the arts. Organisations such as Creative New Zealand have collated evidence across several studies, and this informs how my colleague Josie Whelan and I design and deliver our programmes. We are reflective educators, constantly tailoring our programme to suit the needs of ākonga (students).
A report into Toi Rama – Inspiring Tamariki Through Art, our programme with local Porirua schools, supports this research that art contributes to our hauora (wellbeing). In 2024, Pātaka ran the Toi Rama pilot programme, working for six months with Year 5 and 6 tamariki from Porirua East School. The project culminated in an exhibition of their work at Pātaka, and the resulting report provided valuable data that contributes to a wider conversation about arts-based learning. Toi Rama was never a one-size-fits-all; it’s a framework that allows us to be responsive to learning needs. Toi Rama helps develop creativity, self-efficacy, critical thinking and a growth mindset, enhancing academic achievement and emotional wellbeing.
This year we’ve been working with a new Toi Rama group of tamariki, from Cannons Creek School. We’ll be showcasing their artwork and celebrating their creativity at their exhibition – opening 15 October at 6pm, everyone is welcome! The exhibition allows these young people to see themselves as artists and be recognised as such at their local gallery.
Pātaka is my first role as a gallery educator and, so far, it’s been mind-blowing. I’m so fortunate to work with a talented team who are generous with their time and knowledge. I get to combine my two passions: working with rangatahi and with art. Outside of work, I relax by being creative – working with my hands. I’m passionate about working with natural materials and our taiao. I’ve been working with uku (clay) for a few years and enjoy creating things that are useful and beautiful for my whānau and my friends. I’m becoming a gardener – my father is teaching me about growing taewa (potatoes). We always had a great garden growing up, and Mum’s a keen gardener.
I’m lucky to work alongside Josie Whelan at Pātaka; she’s such an experienced art educator. We would love to do more. My aspiration would be to deliver full-immersion te reo Māori programmes. If we can keep demonstrating the long-term benefits of art for all, everyone would see how beneficial and important investing in the arts is, and that it’s not just a ‘nice to have’.
Toi Rama – Inspiring Tamariki Through Art is at Pātaka Art+Museum 16 October–1 December 2026, free entry.
