Maungarongo “Ron” Te Kawa, a celebrated Māori fabric artist and storyteller (Ngāti Porou). Ron’s work - vibrant, joyful and deeply rooted in kaupapa Māori - has received significant national attention: he was featured on broadcast coverage of this year’s Matariki celebrations, and his panoramic quilt installations and workshops have been showcased widely across Aotearoa.

Importantly, Ron is takatāpui and his work lives at the intersection of Māori identity, queerness and storytelling. His visual language affirms whakapapa, wairua and the importance of being unapologetically oneself. His presence in the Pride Wairau Festival reflects our kaupapa of uplifting indigenous voices within rainbow spaces. The connection between kaupapa Māori and rainbow communities is central to our work. We also believe Ron’s exhibition would be a nice transition into Matariki the following month.

Ron’s quilts are described as “blankets of aroha” - bold, cheeky, colourful expressions of identity and belonging. His visual narratives transform social concerns into acts of healing, joy, and empowerment.