NUKU Live - Nelson Arts Festival

NUKU Live is part of a creative and social impact storytelling movement that amplifies the voices of kickass Indigenous wāhine. Meet the book’s creator Qiane Matata-Sipu and three of the wāhine featured in the pukapuka: Dr Acushla Dee Sciascia, Puawai Cairns and Rachel Taulelei.

The word NUKU is derived from the atua Papatūānuku and represents the ultimate feminine essence. This women’s wānanga is about connection and collaboration, a celebration of culture, storytelling, identity and female power.

From Oscar-nominated filmmakers and award-winning musicians, to scientists, entrepreneurs, tribal leaders, artists, environmental champions, knowledge holders, mothers and more, these NUKU wāhine seek to influence the world around them. The youngest is 14 and the eldest is in her mid-70s. They are wāhine Māori, Moriori, Pasifika, Melanesian, Wijadjuri, Himalayan and Mexican.

The stunning pukapuka that celebrates their stories was shortlisted for the 2022 Ockham NZ Book Award for Illustrated Nonfiction.

In this session, Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua ki Te Ahiwaru me Te Ākitai, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Cook Islands) – who recorded the stories, photographed the wāhine and self-published NUKU – facilitates a kōrero with three of the wāhine featured in the pukapuka.

This event is part of the 2022 Nelson Arts Festival.