Cath Brown (Ngāi Tahu), ‘Takaroa tana ko hekeheke e Papa (The marriage between Takaroa and Papa)’ (1998), University of Canterbury,  Ōtautahi Christchurch

Image Credit: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021

University of Canterbury

Macmillan Brown Library - Te Puna Rakahau o Macmillan Brown, University of Canterbury, Ilam Campus, Ōtautahi Christchurch

Takaroa tana ko hekeheke e Papa

Cath Brown was of Ngāi Tahu decent. She trained as a teacher in Dunedin and went on to advise the Canterbury Education Board on craft education. Eventually Brown led the Art Department at Christchurch Teachers’ College as a tohunga raranga (master weaver) and ceramicist. From 1990 she served on the Southern Regional Arts Council.

Brown is recognised for her pivotal role educating New Zealanders about Māori arts through the numerous workshops, hui, conventions, and exhibitions, particularly on raranga she convened. Her own work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and published as illustrations in several books as well as the New Zealand School Journal. 

Brown was awarded a Queen's Service Medal in 1995 and the Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka award in 2000 in recognition of her contribution to Toi Māori.

Cath Brown (Ngāi Tahu), ‘Takaroa tana ko hekeheke e Papa (The marriage between Takaroa and Papa)’ (1998), University of Canterbury, Ōtautahi Christchurch