Southland’s together space, the collaboration between the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Museum and Art Gallery, is to be called He Waka Tuia Art + Museum.

Shared with the Art + Museum by Iwi Liaison Komiti Michael Skerrett, Shona Fordyce, Peggy Peek, Taare Bradshaw and Evelyn Cook, He Waka Tuia means the vehicle that carries us all (he meaning a, an, some, waka meaning a boat or vehicle and tuia, to join, to sew).

“To me, it fit in so many ways,” Michael said.

The name is both relevant today as well as harking back to the past.

“It’s got a depth of meaning … layers of meaning,” Evelyn said.

IPAG and SMAG chairs Lynley Irvine and Toni Biddle said the name and accompanying logo perfectly represented the journey of the two organisations as they move into the future.

“The name gifted by Iwi solidifies what we want to achieve in this space. Collaboration is one of our core values and we look forward to the exciting and meaningful projects that are built on this very kaupapa,” Biddle said.

“We are excited to share this new identity with our community,” Irvine said.

The logo, designed by Invercargill graphic designer Steph Munro, illustrates two organisations being woven together for this project, the notion of togetherness, multiculturalism, being united as one and inclusive to all.

A website (hewakatuia.nz) and Facebook page (Facebook/hewakatuia) have also gone live.

The launch of a name, logo and web presence is an exciting step towards He Waka Tuia Art + Museum becoming a physical reality, co-managers David Dudfield and Gemma Baldock said.

“This is going to be an accessible, experimental and inspiring space where everyone can celebrate Murihiku’s arts, culture and heritage. We can’t wait to share it.”