Whakapapa Aronui
About Aronui
ARONUI is an explosive, electric and boldly Indigenous Arts Festival, set in the depths of an active caldera in Aotearoa’s volcanic epicentre, Rotoruanui-a-Kahumatamomoe.
With Mana (pride), Mauri (energy) & Manawa (heart), ARONUI is helmed by key Iwi leaders and world-class, award-winning artists in the heart of Aotearoa’s leading Māori arts district, making this festival a direct incentive developed, designed & driven by Manawhenua (Iwi of the land).
The conceptual framework for ARONUI is Te Whāriki (woven mat) – supporting and weaving together the individual stories and arts mediums into a complete festival – celebrating, sharing and inspiring artists and audiences through Indigenous arts in all their rich forms.
Aronui Vision
Whakamana, Hāpaitia, Tukuna kia rere
TO CELEBRATE SHARE AND INSPIRE THROUGH INDIGENOUS ARTS
NGĀ MĀTĀPONO
Our Values
Rotorua values its unique identity as a geothermal paradise surrounded by lakes and forestry. The district is attuned to the pulse of Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru o Te Arawa (The eight beating hearts of Te Arawa).
The festival has been founded in the spirit of Te Arawa culture, it aims to uphold the following aspirations.
Celebrate
Champion our local world class indigenous artists by platforming their unique voices and works.
Inspire
Support our artists to platform their work, inspiring themselves, each other and their community to delve further into the arts as a vehicle for social commentary and change.
Share
Come together to share our stories, our voices, our whakapapa and connect with each other and our community.
Uplift
Create opportunities of engagement with indigenous artists of other rohe (regions) and whenua (countries), expanding our whāriki (woven mat) for future festivals and arts collaborations.
Engage
With local rangatahi and emerging artists to create more pathways of opportunity into the professional arts industry.
