It’s your last chance to see the bright and beautiful Wharenui Harikoa before it leaves New Zealand on a world tour.
The full size wharenui (Māori meeting house) is made from 5,000 balls of brightly-coloured yarn and crotcheted by hand. Created by artists Lissy and Rudi Cole-Robinson, the wharenui has captured hearts and broken visitor records since it opened in Christchurch in December.
See the free exhibition at the Canterbury Museum Pop-Up, 66 Gloucester Street before it closes on 27 April. Don’t miss out!
Lissy and Rudi spent three years making Wharenui Harikoa, which translates to ‘House of Joy’. The monumental task of creating this neon-coloured wharenui began with a simple crochet hook and a clutch of eye-catching yarn.
For Lissy and Rudi it is more than just an art installation – it's a manifestation of their dreams, identity, and the love they have for each other and their people.
“This project is a tribute to our tūpuna (ancestors), a celebration of our culture, and a testament to the healing power of art.
“The wharenui embodies our vision of manifesting intergenerational healing and deeply felt joy.
“We aim to connect cultures, heal hearts, and spread joy – one loop, one stitch, one community at a time.”
Wharenui Harikoa can be experienced at Canterbury Museum Pop-Up from 7 December to 27 April. Free entry; donations appreciated.