Pātaka winter exhibition season opens with Whittaker's, Lindah Lepou and Neil Penman

8 Aug 2026

Explore Wellington Page-Unwrapped_Whittakers-v2
Unwrapped: Whittaker's since 1896 was one of the three exhibitions that opened on 7 August. The exhibition includes a scent station that reveals chocolate’s layered aromas. Photo by Nikki Parlane.

Our winter season opened with three new exhibitions, (Ai)TU™ Series presents Mata‘AITU(voyeur) by Lindah Lepou™, Unwrapped: Whittaker's since 1896 and Tomorrow's histories: photographs by Neil Penman.

While each exhibition offers something distinct, they share themes of whakapapa, memory and storytelling. We are grateful to all who helped bring this season to life – our artists, lenders, mana whenua, and exhibition partners Goethe Institut and Whittaker’s.

A special thank you to Mayor Anita Baker, Porirua City councillors, the Pātaka Foundation, His Excellency Afioga Afamasaga Toleafoa and the many friends, whānau and collaborators who joined us for the evening.

It was wonderful to open this season with such generosity, warmth and aroha – and to celebrate the creativity, history and family stories at the heart of these exhibitions.

The opening wrapped up with stirring waiata from Aotea College’s Kapa Haka, Te Kahui Kuratea.

A shout out too to in-house catering and One Sweet Day for the scrumptious treats.

Images from the opening offer a taste of the evening, and it was wonderful to see the Whittaker's team, current and former employees, enjoy Unwrapped – some are captured with their portraits in the exhibition.

Anita Baker, porirua mayor at Pataka Aotea College kapa haka group performing at Pataka Pātaka_MTantrum_26_08_07_00435 Opening of Mata'AITU(voyeur) by Lindah Lepou. Pātaka Art+Museum. Photo by Mark Tantrum Lindah lepou at Pataka Lindah lepou is one of the artists featured in the Winter Pataka exhibition season Linda lepou Whittakers staff members at the exhibiton Unwrapped at pataka. Photo mark Tantrum The opening evening Pataka winter exhibition season. Photo Mark Tantrum Nikki Parlane and Ioana Gordon-Smith Aotea College kapa haka group at Pataka Pātaka_MTantrum_26_08_07_00424 Opening of the pataka winter season Whittakers staff at the exhibiton Unwrapped at pataka Walter at opening of Unwrapped at Pataka The opening evening of Pataka winter exhibition season. Photo Mark Tantrum Whittakers staff members at the exhibiton Unwrapped at pataka. Mark tantrum photography Aotea College kapa haka group at Pataka and performing Lindah lepou and Ana Sciasica Opening of Unwrapped at Pataka Pātaka_MTantrum_26_08_07_00471 Opening of Unwrapped at Pataka. Photo Mark Tantrum Ana sciascia, Anita Baker, Lindah lepou Opening of Unwrapped at Pataka photo by Mark Tantrum Aotea Coll kapa haka group opening evening Pataka winter exhibition season. Photo Mark Tantrum Winter opening of Pataka exhibitions Whittakers staff members at the exhibiton Unwrapped at pataka Pataka exhibition open with Ngati toa Mayor Anita baker at the opening of the Pataka winter season

Images by Mark Tantrum

Open: 10am–5pm, 7 days a week

Visit: Corner Norrie & Parumoana streets, Porirua

Call: +64 4 237 1511 email: pataka@poriruacity.govt.nz

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Email: pataka@poriruacity.govt.nz

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