THE COWBOY OF ART

Arapeta Hākura is a Takatāpui curator and artist based across Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Waihi Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand. They are of Te Rarawa, Kahu, Te Patu Koraha, Tainui, Mahuta, Marutūāhu, Whanaunga, Ngai Te Rangi, Tohianga, Whakamarurangi, Tuirirangi, Koata, Te Wehi, Whangaparāoa, Tahinga, Motemote, Ruanui, Porou, Scottish, and Croatian descent.

Hākura weaves stories through adornment, objects, performance, sound art, photography, and cinema, drawing upon traditional art forms passed down through their whakapapa. They specialize in Māori practices including Pao Kōwhatu (customary stone adze making) and Whatu kākāhu (customary garment weaving), while also working with contemporary textiles and earth-based materials.

Their work extends across multiple creative identities, operating under the experimental art entity A R A X and exhibiting under aliases including Camp Father, LIX, and Kuini of Uranus.

Current Projects

Hākura is working on several iwi and hapū-focused restoration projects:

Takarunga Recreational Space - Development work in Devonport as manawhenua resident artist

Toreparu Wetlands - Restoration of the largest wetlands in the Waikato Tainui coastal region

He Aute Te Awhea - A cultural restoration project reawakening Aute in the Hauraki through discovery of ancient Aute Pā, tikanga, and kōrero tuku iho (intergenerational oral knowledge)

Their research extends nationally and internationally through Fine Arts and Toi Māori fields, as well as musicology, engaging with institutions including the British Museum, The Smithsonian, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Teaching & Education

University of Auckland Lecturer

• Ngā Toi Taketake: Fibre and Textiles (customary textile processes from Te Whare Tapora)

• Ngā Toi Taketake: Stone and Sculpture (customary stone carving processes)

• Moving Image, Documentation and Action (time-based and performance art)

Research

Doctoral Studies (2020-Current)Te Uru Aute: Revival of Aute through embodied knowledge as Ngāti WhanaungaUniversity of Auckland

Masters in Fine Arts (2018-2020)He Taonga Tuku IhoUniversity of Auckland

International Research

• The Smithsonian, Washington DC (2019) - Investigation and revival of Parakiekie, including repatriation work

• The British Museum, London - Investigation of seven Māori cloaks acquired during Captain James Cook’s second voyage

• Te Papa Tongarewa (2021) - Investigation of Patu Aute and Patu Aruhe

• Tāmaki Paenga Hira (2021) - Investigation of Patu Aute and Patu Aruhe

Selected Exhibitions

2025

• COWBOY MOTEL, Flaming Star, The Dowse, Wellington

• Ringa Whetū, Te Uru, Auckland

• STARBOOTY, Tutu Fingers, RM Gallery

2024

• Bunnies Blue Moon, Govett Brewster Gallery, New Plymouth

• Rehutai, The sun rose fondly of him, Te Uru, Auckland

2023

• Ngā Ipu o Whanaunga, Kai Kainga Ngā Tāringa, Seasons Aotearoa, Auckland

• He Wheke, Audio Foundation, Auckland

• States of Flow, Sanderson Contemporary, Auckland

• Cupids Valentine, Queer Ecologies, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland

• Kei Whea Te Aute, Corban Art Estate, Auckland

2022

• Aloma in Velvet, Britomart Pavilions, Auckland

• Home Sweet Home, RM Gallery, Auckland

• Takitini, Playstation, Wellington

• Kei hea Te Aute, Window Gallery, Auckland

2019

• Strands, Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt

• Hā, Blue Oyster Gallery, Dunedin

• Māwhitiwhiti, Te Tuhi Gallery, Auckland

2018

• Acts of passage, Cilos, Te Tuhi Gallery, Auckland

In the Media

“Uncovering Aute: An Artist’s Path Back to Kaitiaki” - Valley Profile, 2024

“Life Along the Coastline: A Visual Series” - YU MEI, 2023

“Coastal Light” - The Art Paper Issue 4, 2022