Ako Hokianga
Workshops & Short Courses
The short courses that we run throughout the year are designed specifically from the feedback of our Hokianga community. Our tutors are regional experts, our classes are small to ensure the best outcomes, and our fees low to non existent. We believe in providing accessible, relevant and cutting edge workshops to all of the people of Hokianga.
Meet the Tutors
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Kristina Robertson
Ceramics Instructor
Kristina is a passionate potter and ceramics instructor who has spent years honing her craft at the wheel. She brings a love of functional art, a deep respect for clay, and a gentle, encouraging teaching style to every class.
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Eva Walker
Stone Artist
Eva is a dedicated stone artist and educator whose creative journey began over a decade ago in Rāwene. She brings a deep understanding of how hands-on, tactile experiences shape our well-being, and now shares this passion through inspiring workshops and community-based teaching.
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Kara Dodson
Serial Maker
A self-described serial maker and gentle disruptor, she brings an eclectic mix of architecture, printmaking, gallery work, mentoring, and event organising to her creative practice. With experience across the film, music, and kai worlds — and a few businesses along the way — she now balances making art with saying yes to quirky projects and the daily interruptions of her cat, dog, chickens, and whānau..
Gallery: Previous Workshops
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Give the gift of learning. Redeemable towards eligible Ako Hokianga courses and workshops, this voucher offers the opportunity to learn new skills, explore new interests, and connect with others through community education.
Previous Workshops & Short Courses
Advanced Stone with Rossi McCabe
Three days of stone
Ko Ramaroa te Maunga Ko Whiria te Pa Ko Hokianga te Awa Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua Ko Mamari Nga Waka Ko Ngati Korokoro, ko Ngati Wharara me Te Pouka nga waha hapū o Hokianga
Mahi kohatu focusing on Form and Balance.
This is a hands-on workshop for people who have a good idea of how to use stone machines already as Rossi deep dives into the foundation of form.
Hand-Building a Clay Cooking Pot — Uku Workshop
Uku Workshop with Dorothy Waetford
Dorothy Waetford is a Māori clay artist based in Matapōuri, Whangārei, with over 25 years' experience in contemporary Māori visual arts, teaching and community advocacy. Her practice is rooted in kaupapa Māori and te reo Māori, with uku (clay) as a medium connecting whakapapa, taiao and contemporary Māori artistic identity. As a facilitator, Dorothy brings this same grounding to her workshops — sharing traditional hand-building techniques while creating space for participants to connect with clay, culture and each other.
This is a hands-on workshop exploring hand-building functional clay cookware. Participants will learn traditional hand-building techniques — including slabbing, coiling and pinching — to shape a clay cooking pot from raw uku (clay), suitable for use over an open fire.
Introduction to Kete Kupenga
Kete Kupenga with Darin Blackman
Learn the beautiful art of Kupenga. Join us in a warm and friendly environment to make your very own small kete kupenga and gain skills you can apply to future projects.
Tutor Darin Blackman is a tauira/student of harakeke/flax and hue/gourds. He has been weaving for fifteen years and recently completed his raranga diploma at Te Wananga o Aotearoa with kaiako Simi Paris - who will join us for some the wananga.
Prepare to laugh, share and have fun as we learn and grow together. We look forward to seeing you at the Wananga.
Rangatahi Stone
Mahinga kōhatu with Eva Walker
Eva is a dedicated stone artist and educator whose creative journey began over a decade ago in Rāwene. She has experience in working with all ages and loves working with people, sharing how the arts uplift and motivate our senses, and our appreciation of and connection to our place.
This workshop is for youth ages 14 - 20
Day 1 - Finishing & Binding and rotary tool wananga, stone selection.
Day 2 - Shaping and Dremel work, machine and hand tool techniques.
Day 3 - Finishing and binding in practice. Piece completion and take home.
Dates:
Sunday 1st November
Saturday 7th November
Sunday 8th November
Please ensure you’re avalible for all dates before booking
Pottery with Kristina Robertson
Three days of pottery
Guided by “Fern Coast Pottery’s” Kristina, participants can choose their learning direction. From learning the wheel to building by hand - it is up to you.
Spaces are limited!
Dates are:
Day 1: Thursday 15th October 9am - 2pm
Day 2: Thursday 22nd October 9am - 2pm
Day 3 Thursday 5th November 9am - 2pm
Tukutuku with Ruth Woodbury
Introduction to and development of
Tukutuku
Join Ruth and start with the basics. The first two days are an introduction to tukutuku and will look at the tikanga of design application through the use of modern materials.
This will prepare you for the next two days where you will deepen your understanding of the art of tukutuku, apply tikanga practices and develop your skillset through the use of the traditional kiekie fibre and bring your design to light.
Dates:
14th and 15th October - 11am till 3pm
21st and 22nd October - 11am till 3pm
Beginners Stone w Eva Walker
Three days of stone
Eva is a dedicated stone artist and educator whose creative journey began over a decade ago in Rāwene. She brings a deep understanding of how hands-on, tactile experiences shape our well-being and now shares this passion through inspiring workshops and community-based teaching.
This course will cover:
finishing and binding
developing an understanding of material
(media), tools and design
completion of a piece.
Dates:
📅 Day 1: 11th October – 9.30am - 2.30pm
📅 Day 2: 17th October – 9.30am - 2.30m
📅 Day 3: 18th October – 9.30am - 2.30pm
Please ensure you are available for ALL dates before booking.
Kete Kupenga
Introduction to Kupenga with Darin Blackman
Learn the beautiful art of Kupenga. Join us in a warm and friendly environment to make your very own small kete kupenga and gain skills you can apply to future projects.
Tutor Darin Blackman is a tauira/student of harakeke/flax and hue/gourds. He has been weaving for fifteen years and recently completed his raranga diploma at Te Wananga o Aotearoa with kaiako Simi Paris - who will join us for some the wananga.
Prepare to laugh, share and have fun as we learn and grow together. We look forward to seeing you at the Wananga.
Mau kakī with Medina koni
Mau kakī - Contemporary Whatu Neckpieces
Learn traditional whatu techniques to create eye catching contemporary neck pieces of your own design and colourway using the materials provided.
Medina holds a relaxed and grounded workshop with warmth and humour. The space feels safe, welcoming, and guided. She teaches in a way that is structured but never rigid: everyone moves at a steady, supported pace, with room to breathe, laugh, fumble, and try again.
The atmosphere is culturally anchored, and participants often describe it as memorable, confidence‑building, and surprisingly moving — a place where they feel held, capable, and connected.
About the artist
Medina is a Toi Iho–certified raranga whatu artist with more than three decades of practice. Her work moves between traditional fibre knowledge and contemporary expression, weaving muka, pīngao, and natural materials into sculptural forms, wearable pieces, and kaupapa-driven installations.
Medina believes she guides learners with patience, integrity, and the belief that mastery comes from slowing down, undoing, and doing again. As an artist, her work carries whakapapa, texture, and story. As a kaiako, she creates spaces where people feel capable, connected, and quietly lifted.
Her practice centres community, cultural continuity, and the joy of seeing others grow confident in what they create with their own hands.
Intermediate Stone with Lawrence Hale
Three days of stone
Lawrence is an art practitioner of both traditional and contemporary design. Influenced and tutored by several renown tohunga whakairo he has worked with stone for more than two decades.
Under the tutorage of artist Sandy Adsett, Lawrence obtained a degree in maori visual arts, strengthening his toi maori perspective.
He has been a visitor and now resident of the Hokianga for more than 30 years.
He brings to his workshops his kaupapa; to work with kohatu (stone) to explore, design and reinforce the significance and importance of symbols and their meanings within the space of toi.
Please note this is a 3-day workshop. Your booking includes ALL sessions:
📅 Day 1: 28th August – 10am - 3pm
📅 Day 2: 29th August – 10am - 3pm
📅 Day 3: 30th August – 10am - 3pm
Please ensure you are available for ALL dates before booking.
Advanced Stone with Rossi McCabe
Three days of stone
Rossi is a stone carver from Pakanae, Hokianga who works with Kohatu (stones) of various types with Pounamu and Onewa (Greywacke) his preferred choice of medium.
He is an inspirational Kaiako sharing his vast experiences with korero and has a natural talent to facilitate individual needs and aspirations.
His workshops celebrate creativity, culture and connection within our community, uplift and showcase Māori art form while creating meaningful opportunities for engagement, learning and participation.
Some experience recommended
Please note this is a 3-day workshop. Your booking includes ALL sessions:
📅 Day 1: 21st August – 10am - 3pm
📅 Day 2: 22nd August – 10am - 3pm
📅 Day 3: 23rd August – 10am - 3pm
Please ensure you are available for ALL dates before booking.
Pottery with Kristina
Three days of clay
Guided by “Fern Coast Pottery’s” Kristina, participants can choose their learning direction. From learning the wheel to building by hand - it is up to you.
Please note this is a 3-day workshop. Your booking includes ALL sessions:
📅 Day 1: 20th August – 9am - 2pm
📅 Day 2: 27th August – 9am - 2pm
📅 Day 3: 10th September – 9am - 2pm
Please ensure you are available for ALL dates before booking.
Manu Rere with Ruth Woodbury
Manu Rere, Manu Tukutuku, Pakau, Manu Aute are all names for traditional māori flying kites. Learn about the different types in this course then build your own using a mix of natural and modern materials to create your chosen Manu Rere - Kite design.
Please note this course is two days - the 1st and 2nd July
Tukutuku with Ruth Woodbury
Two afternoons with Ruth
Explore the art of tukutuku starting with tikanga of design application through the use of modern materials. Suitable for new learners and as a refresher for the experienced.
Please note, this course is for the 20th AND 21st June with a later start time of 1pm.
Maukaki with Medina Koni
Two days with Medina
Saturday 6th June
Sunday 7th June
A workshop using traditional Māori whatu techniques to create a contemporary maukaki (neckpiece).
Based upon the stars of the matariki cluster and their associated colours.
The process will highlight the importance of well-being emphasizing both the material and spiritual aspects of the craft.
This will be an enriching workshop that combines cultural education, hands on weaving techniques and personal expression through the symbolism of Matariki and well-being.
Introduction to Stone with Eva Walker
Join Eva for three days of stone carving
This is a 3-day workshop. Your booking includes ALL sessions:
📅Saturday 30th May 2026 - 9am - 3pm
📅Sunday 31st May 2026 - 9am - 3pm
📅Monday 1st June2026 - 9am - 3pm
Cost: $90
Intermediate Stone with Lawrence Hale
Join Lawrence for three days of stone carving
This is a 3-day workshop. Your booking includes ALL sessions:
📅 22nd May – 9am - 3pm
📅 23rd May – 9am - 3pm
📅 24th May – 9am - 3pm
Cost: $120
Advanced Stone with Rossi Mccabe
Join Rossi for three days of stone carving
This workshop consists of three days:
📅Friday 15th May - 9am till 3pm
📅Saturday 16th May -9am till 3pm
📅Sunday 17th May - 9am till 3pm
Your booking covers all three days.
Cost: $150
Whakapiripiri with Simi
TUKUNA NGA MAHARA POHEWA KIA RERE - "give flight to your precious thoughts"
Whakapiripiri consists of two days a week for three weeks.
Dates are:
Wednesday 13th May - Thursday 14th May
Wednesday 20th May - Thursday 21st May
Last date to be confirmed
Please ensure you are available for ALL dates before booking.
Cost is $80
A bit more about the workshop and tutor
Simi Paris is a practitioner of Toi Maori and kaiako for 15 years. Actively involved in her marae, her whakaaro is that the world of Toi not only embodies whakapapa but is a transition of knowledge, of rangahau and a space to celebrate traditional and contemporary narratives.
Simi is offering her first workshop here in Hokianga as part of our upcoming series of Matariki inspired workshops which will be exhibited at Manea in July.
Whakapiriri - A workshop designed to bring together her mediums; raranga, kowhaiwhai and taniko.
This workshop will go into depth on kowhaiwhai and taniko designs and meanings, you will learn how to use the traditional forms of kowhaiwhai and taniko to reflect on the personal meanings of “Matariki.”
Raranga is Maori weaving, an indigenous art form. It builds relationships and develops a process of connecting participants, providing a place to share stories, emotions and the bonds of whanaungatanga (kinship).
This workshop is an introduction to the use of colours and placement of the harakeke to support how individuals perceive the three principles of Matariki, those we have lost, celebrating the present and looking to the future.
Whakapiripiri aims to bring together these forms of toi and participants can expect to walk away with a meaningful wall piece.
Have fun creating your own inspired chair
Its all about fun! You can never make a mistake when it comes to creativity according to Tracey.
Join her on May 9th and learn to design an inspired chair using a combination of collage and paint.
Create your own design using favourite copied illustrations or material provided.
You can even bring sentimental items like photos or newspaper clippings to include in your piece!
3-Day Workshop - Hands In Clay Pottery Classes
Guided by Fern Coast Pottery’s Kristina, participants can choose their learning direction. From learning the wheel to building by hand - it is up to you.
Whakapiripiri with Simi
Join Simone Paris over three fortnights and learn to design then create a painted and woven Art board with Matariki as the kaupapa/focus.
Cricut with Kara
Learn Cricut with Kara, presented by Ako Hokianga and HCET. Looking to learn Cricut, cut more detailed screen printing stencils or create your own iron on designs.
3-Day Workshop - Introduction to Stone
Introduction to Stone with Eva Walker
This 3-day workshop is your introduction to working with Stone.
3-Day Workshop - Stone with Rossi
3-Day Workshop - Stone with Rossi (Advanced)
For those who looking to take their stone work to the next level. Prerequisite: Intermediate Stone with Lawrence Hale.
Bone Carving with Kody Loretz
Over 3 days:
Fri 3rd October, Sat 4th October, Sun 5th October 10am - 3pm each day.
Learn appropriate methods of cleaning and preparation of bone. Learn practical carving techniques with modern hand tools.
$120 per person
