Today marks six weeks in Melbourne, after being home in Aotearoa for four years. I have been blessed with wonderful friends to stay with, and I am grateful to all the fabulous people on my Melbourne trip. It has been an intense healing, shedding and RECALIBRATION time, and I am happy with the fun new directions that my work is now heading in.
Just today I have added Sri Lanka and South India into my travels plans for around the August - September period and I feel very pleased about this. The first and last time that I visited India with my older sister, was about twenty years ago now, and I always did want to go back, particularly to the South. I have also always wanted to visit Sri Lanka, and am particularly looking forward to the TEMPLES, artisans and HOT WEATHER.
I am still refining the new eBooks that I have been developing (there are several), and each day they are getting better and I am ironing out my process, editing, macrons, formatting, designing the style elements, and configuring the reader display between laptop viewing and phone viewing.
‘HOW TO HAVE A STAY HOME ART RETREAT’ and ‘THE CLOAK OF UENUKU’ are available now on my blog, and they now have pastel rainbow colored pages, which I’m happy about too…several of my upcoming eBooks will now feature these signature pastel rainbow colored pages, which look so soft, pretty and gorgeous.
I have some Tā Moko (Māori Tattoo) bookings available in Melbourne (Ballarat) for July 2026.
I am working on a new collection of small one off original paper works called ‘RECALIBRATION’ which will be available to purchase soon. I am currently loving a bone, blush, sage, cream, white, lilac, and blues colour palette.
I will also have some LIMITED EDITION hand signed A4 high quality 300gsm art prints of ‘TE ATA PŪAO’ available to buy soon. I am working on a little progress, improvements, and upgrades every day, and gaining clarity on my moves forward and what I want to do next. Grateful To God!
Ngaa mihi nui,
Te Uira
Council of Uenuku - 12 Seats of Mana - Build your Legacy with me - Become a Patron of the Arts + 1 of my esteemed Benefactors
THE COUNCIL OF UENUKU - 12 Seats of Mana - Build your Legacy with me - Become a Patron of The Arts and one of my esteemed Benefactors.
$12,000 per year | 12 Seats | Apply Now
THE COUNCIL OF UENUKU IS NOW OPEN. Be one of 12 global supporters who fund indigenous wisdom, traditional artforms, ancient knowledge, Māori wellbeing, peace, joy, love, intergenerational healing and MANA.
E hoa (my friend),
I launched THE CLOAK OF UENUKU: THE POWER OF COLOUR ACROSS WORLDS today.
The first loaf is broken.
Now I’m inviting 12 people to help multiply it.
THE COUNCIL OF UENUKU: 12 SEATS OF MANA
$12,000 per year | $1,000 per month
This is for the ones who:
Believe art can heal nations
Aren’t intimidated by big vision
Know there’s enough for all of us
Want their name on something eternal
Are currently building their legacy
What your $12k builds in 12 months:
11 mini ebooks released + 1111 free printed copies and 1111 digital copies gifted to disadvantaged individuals and communities
1 original painting sent to you per annum, named for you
12 months of protected creation for me – no burnout, just the work
What YOU get:
1 original painting per annum, named for you
Annual private wānanga with me – see, discuss, influence and help shape the work
“Council of Uenuku” naming credits in every new book (digital and print), all new major releases, collections, major works + new publications for the year
Direct access to me. You’re whānau now.
12 seats only for ‘THE COUNCIL OF UENUKU’.
If your heart swelled reading this… this is for you.
Email me: taryn.teuira@gmail.com
Subject: “I’M ONE OF YOUR 12 NEW MIRACLE BENEFACTORS DARLING”
Let’s build a new world together.
Te Uira
Ringatoi
P.S. Money is low right now. Mana is high.
This is how we KEEP THE MANA HIGH.
Be One of The 12 Who Fund The Future of Indigenous Art.
The 12 who sit around the fire.
The 12 who say “we’ve got you” before the miracle shows up.
The 12 who fund peace, not panic.
12 people. 12 Attributes. 12 months of protected creation.
$12,000 per year = $1,000 per month
Each seat funds one pillar of THE COUNCIL OF UENUKU.
Read them. Feel which one has your name on it.
THE 12 SEATS
SEAT OF MANA
Funds: Authority, Leadership, Public Voice
You are: The one who says “This work matters. The world needs to see it.”
Your legacy: Executive Producer credit. Opening speech at launches.
SEAT OF AROHA
Funds: Healing, Community Copies, Gifting
You are: The one who makes sure the broke + hurting get it free.
Your legacy: 1,111 digital mini books + 1,111 printed mini books gifted in your name.
SEAT OF WĀ
Funds: Time, Rest, Protected Creation Days
You are: The one who says “Don’t rush. Make it right.”
Your legacy: A year of art made without panic.
SEAT OF MĀTAURANGA
Funds: The 11 new mini books, RINGATOI 101, Research, Development, Design
You are: The one who funds wisdom to be written down.
Your legacy: Your name in every book.
SEAT OF PŪTEA
Funds: Materials, Studio, Operations, Amplification
You are: The one who makes the practical possible.
Your legacy: The engine that keeps the work running.
SEAT OF UENUKU
Funds: The Bridge, Visibility, Global Reach
You are: The one who says “Take this to every nation.”
Your legacy: Named sponsor of THE CLOAK OF UENUKU tour.
SEAT OF TAPU
Funds: Sacred Space, Safety, Protection
You are: The one who guards the room so I can create.
Your legacy: “This work was made in peace because of you.”
SEAT OF KŌRERO
Funds: Storytelling, Voice, Speaking, Writing
You are: The one who funds the stories to be told.
Your legacy: Co-creator credit on the Manifesto.
SEAT OF WHENUA
Funds: Roots, Land, Belonging, Heritage Work
You are: The one who keeps me connected to home.
Your legacy: Māori art archive funded.
SEAT OF WHĀNAU
Funds: Kind People, Collaboration, Community
You are: The one who builds the circle around me.
Your legacy: Bi-annual wānanga hosted.
SEAT OF TOI
Funds: Original Artworks on Canvas, Paper, Pencils, Paint, Art Materials
You are: The one who puts art back in my hands.
Your legacy: 12 original paintings created per annum.
SEAT OF MĀRAMATANGA
Funds: Light, The Future, Next Generation
You are: The one who funds what comes after me.
Your legacy: Scholarship for 1 emerging Ringatoi.
WHAT EVERY COUNCIL OF UENUKU MEMBER RECEIVES
1 signed 1/1 original painting per annum, named for you
Bi-annual private wānanga – be part of shaping and influencing the work
“Council of Uenuku” credit in all 11 mini ebooks + Manifesto
Your chosen Attribute named after you in the book credits
Direct access. You’re whānau.
12 SEATS. WHEN THEY’RE GONE, THEY’RE GONE.
Email: taryn.teuira@gmail.com
Subject: “I CLAIM THE SEAT OF ___”
P.S. If more than one seat calls you, that’s okay.
Uenuku knows who you are.
THANK YOU,
Te Uira
Ringatoi
'THE CLOAK OF UENUKU: THE POWER OF COLOUR ACROSS WORLDS' new EBOOK now available
THE CLOAK OF UENUKU: The Power of Colour Across Worlds, By Te Uira
E te atua, ko Uenuku
This book is dedicated to you, Uenuku.
Atua of the rainbow. Keeper of colour. Walker between worlds.
You who show us that after rain comes light.
You who hold all colours without choosing.
You who bridge Ranginui and Papatūānuku.
E Uenuku, guide my hands. Guide this mahi.
Why I Wrote This Book
For the love and joy of colour. I’ve been asked this for years: “Why colour? Why do you paint in rainbows?” The answer is simple: Because colour has been one of the gifts that has saved me.
After 18 years of tā moko, kirituhi, and contemporary Māori painting, I noticed something. People didn’t just want art. They wanted to feel different after. Calmer. Braver. Seen. Embodied. Emboldened. I went to the temples of Egypt. India. Tahiti. Bali, and more. I dove into learning ancient history and neuroscience. Māori pigment and colour language. And always, Uenuku.
I wrote THE CLOAK OF UENUKU for 3 people:
The artist – who wants to use colour with respect + meaning.
The healer – who knows colour is medicine, but wants tools.
The curious – who saw a rainbow after rain and felt something shift.
This is not an academic text. It’s a practice book. Part kōrero, part science, part ritual.
Use it however you need. Colour in the pages. Try the 5-day practice. Read one page after rain.
E Uenuku, may this book be useful, and may it draw your people into my world.
— Te Uira, Melbourne, 2026
THE CLOAK OF UENUKU
Part 1: The Light
What Is Chromotherapy?
Ancient Pigments of the World
The Science: Light is Colour
Uenuku: Atua of the Rainbow
More Pūrakau of Uenuku
Part 2: The Colours
Māori Pigments: Ngā tae
Māori Colour Language
Techniques: Tā Moko + Painting
Colour Meaning in Healing
Neuroscience: What Happens in Your Brain
Global Spiritual Colour
Part 3: The Practice
Modern Chromotherapy: 7 Ways Today
Making Pigment Today
Colour in Your Studio
Colour for Your Mood: 5-Day Practice
Colour First Aid Kit
Respect in Use
Working with Colour
My Practice as Te Uira
Colour Rituals
Part 4: The Journey
Colour + Emotion Journal
Colour + The Body
Colour + Nature in Aotearoa
Uenuku in the Whenua: Places
27 pages, illustrated collectable printable ebook available now.
$22AUD.
PUBLISHED BY:
‘DIVINE UNION’ BY TE UIRA.
A few new poems
A few new poem excerpts from my upcoming suite of new ebooks, that are currently in the editing and design phases. Some of my selected original poems also feature in the $11AUD ‘POETRY PACK’ monthly subscription of TOI TREASURY MAORI ART MAIL CLUB available now.
Mō ngā iwi katoa o ngā tae katoa
For all tribes of all colours
For the keepers who remembered
For the children who will lead us
Into Te Ao Hou
For the Earth who is waiting
May we be worthy of the rainbow
Night
Cover me
I have no words
I have no tears
Only weight
Sit on my chest if you must
But do not leave
Nobody told me grief is quiet
I thought it would wail
Instead it sits
Like a stone in my throat
Like a house with all the lights off
Black is not empty
Black is full of you
Mō ngā wāhine o te pō me te ao
For the women of night and day
For the keepers. The seers.
The ones who remember.
For the Māreikura of old, and the priestesses rising now.
You do not need permission to be sacred.
A priestess is a bridge
Between the seen and unseen
Between people and atua
Between chaos and order
Between wound and wisdom
She is not a performer
She is a presence
'Te Ata Pūao' exhibition on now at Toi Matarau Gallery, Maoriland
Big thanks to Toi Matarau Gallery in Otaki Wellington for exhibiting my painting ‘Te Ata Pūao’ in their current exhibition of the same name. My artist profile was also featured recently in their newsletter as follows:
Taryn is an international Artist and A.R.T descendant of Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Kāi Tahu.
Largely a travelling artist, Taryn creates across multidisciplinary art forms with a background in fashion and graphic design. Her chosen disciplines are Tāmoko, Poetry and Mixed Media.
Taryn’s paintings are meditational, philosophical and biblical where she draws on connection to faith and te ao Māori to navigate her path of self-healing. She often leans into soft pastel pallets of colour to uplift her work.
Te Ata Pūao is inspired from the Ōtaki view of Kapiti, the ocean coast line of this area where magical panoramic views of the sun can be soaked in every morning and evening. Te Ata Pūao is a composition of brush strokes, whispers of reclamation from the first human woman; Hineahuone who became Hinetauira. She then became Hinetītama transitioning from Te Ao Mārama, the world of light back into the otherworld beyond the veil.
'PRIESTESS' a new online waananga for 12 wahine starts on Friday 14th August 2026
Join me and 10 other Priestesses for a month long ‘PRIESTESS’ deep dive online waananga starting Friday 14th August 2026. There will be 12 wahine in this waananga only.
$111AUD to secure your spot.
Facilitated by Te Uira.
HOW TO HAVE A STAY HOME ART RETREAT GUIDEBOOK NOW AVAILABLE
A gentle guide to creativity, rest, beauty, and wairua — from your own home.
35 pages of guidance, inspiration, and ideas for you to custom design your own STAY HOME ART RETREAT.
Illustrated digital download for you to print and use at home.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
What Is a Stay‑Home Art Retreat?
Preparing Your Space
Dressing & Adorning Yourself
Opening Rituals & Blessings
Affirmations
Simple Art Practices
Resting Between Creations
Psychology of Colour
Flexible Retreat Formats
Daily Schedule Template
Creative Prompt Ideas
Poets’ Corner
Journal Prompts
Workbook Section
Materials List
Materials Shopping Guide
Using Found, Free & Scrap Materials
Themes for Your Retreat
Artists Who Inspire You
Benefits of Regular Creative Practice
Closing Blessings
Next Steps After Your Retreat
$11AUD
PUBLISHED BY:
About my new ebook 'TOI TŪHĀHĀ: A Māori creative cultural therapy manual' coming soon
Toi Tūhāhā is a Māori creative cultural therapy framework that weaves together cultural knowledge, creative practice, somatic healing, ritual and therapeutic insight to support individuals and communities in reconnecting with identity, regulating emotion, integrating trauma, and restoring balance.
The name Toi Tūhāhā reflects a return to the creative origins of self — a standing place of identity, culture, and wairua. It honors the understanding that healing is relational, embodied, spiritual, and deeply connected to whakapapa, spirituality, self expression and whenua.
This framework is built on the belief that creativity is a powerful medicine. Through colour, movement, pattern, story, breath, artistic practice, creativity, personal narrative, storytelling, ritual, journalling, music, self expression, and cultural practice, people can access pathways of healing that are intuitive, accessible, and culturally grounded.
Toi Tūhāhā is designed for clinicians, facilitators, educators, artists, youth workers, community practitioners, and individuals seeking tools that honor spirituality, culture, and wellbeing.
It is not a clinical replacement — it is a cultural companion. A kete of practices that strengthen identity, reconnect people to their ancestors, integrate the power of ritual, facilitate productive creative self expression, and support emotional, spiritual, and somatic healing.
Chapters
Introduction to Toi Tūhāhā
Ngā Rangi Tūhāhā — The 12 Realms
The Toi Tūhāhā Framework
The Science of Creative Cultural Therapy
Core Principles of Toi Tūhāhā
Acrylic Painting & Colour Healing
Toi Māori Modalities
Individual Practices & Exercises
Group Waananga & Collective Practice
Clinical Applications — Anxiety, Depression, PTSD & Addiction
Identity, Whakapapa & Cultural Reconnection
Somatic Healing & Body-Based Practice
Advanced Facilitation & Cultural Safety
Realm Integration & Holistic Practice
MY NEW COMPREHENSIVE ‘TOI TŪHĀHĀ MĀORI CREATIVE CULTURAL THERAPY MANUAL’ IS COMING SOON!
PUBLISHED BY:
My new music album 'ANCESTRAL INTELLIGENCE' released September 2025 by WHITI TE RA MULTIMEDIA HOUSE
CLICK HERE TO PLAY MY 1ST MUSIC ALBUM ‘ANCESTRAL INTELLIGENCE’.
My new music album 'ANCESTRAL INTELLIGENCE' released September 2025 by WHITI TE RĀ MULTIMEDIA HOUSE.
Check out my new songs 'WE ARE THE SOVEREIGN' and 'WHITI TE RAA' from my new music album 'ANCESTRAL INTELLIGENCE'
Click HERE to play my new songs ‘WE ARE THE SOVEREIGN’ and ‘WHITI TE RAA’ from ‘ANCESTRAL INTELLIGENCE’ 2025
Now taking Tā Moko Māori Tattoo bookings in Cairns, Perth, Bali and Tahiti
Now taking Tā Moko Māori Tattoo bookings in Cairns, Perth, Bali and Tahiti.
Check out my new song 'Aunty had enough'
Check out my new song ‘AUNTY HAD ENOUGH’ out now on youtube by TE UIRA.
THE OPEN EDITION 'FOUNDATIONS' CANVAS ART COLLECTION IS NOW HERE
AIO
〰️
AIO 〰️
The first pieces of the OPEN EDITION ‘FOUNDATIONS’ CANVAS ART COLLECTION are HERE NOW.
JULY 2026: very first month release for the TOI TREASURY MAORI ART MAIL CLUB
The first month, JULY 2026 for the TOI TREASURY MAORI ART MAIL CLUB features these 4X original A6 art postcards by Te Uira Moko International:
’A golden bloodline’
’Ahi Kaa’
’New Begininngs’
’Born to thrive’
Join the TOI TREASURY MAORI ART MAIL CLUB now for $22AUD per month, cancel or pause your subscription at any time, free postage worldwide included, email taryn.teuira@gmail.com for any enquiries.
The Toi Treasury Maori Art Mail Club is NOW AVAILABLE
I have wanted to put an offer like this together for so long, and now it is finally here! I am pleased to make available to you: THE TOI TREASURY MAORI ART MONTHLY MAIL CLUB!
This is a monthly subscription service where you can choose which subscription option best suits you, and receive gorgeous high quality printed art postcards, poem postcards, letters and stickers in your physical mailbox from m every month.
All envelopes hand packed by me personally. I can post these art packs WORLDWIDE.
This is a wonderful way for you to be receiving fresh new Toi Māori and unique art in your mailbox every month, whilst simultaneously sponsoring me to continue traveling the world living my best life sharing Toi Māori and Māori perspectives in new spaces and with new audiences.
You deserve to treat yourself to something special, and your support would also mean the world to me.
All art packs will be sent out monthly by standard post. I hope you love this cool offer just as much as I do!
You can email me on taryn.teuira@gmail.com at any time if you have any questions about the TOI TREASURY MAORI ART MAIL CLUB, and you are free to cancel your subscription at any time. Start your mini art journey today.
Kia ora, from Melbourne Australia
Kia ora whanau, after four years back home in Aotearoa, New Zealand, I am now touring again, sharing my Tā Moko and Toi Māori with the world. I am currently in Melbourne, and looking at heading to Cairns and Perth (Australia) after this.
Please see my bookings page to enquire about tā moko with me at any of these locations. I also hope to make it back to Bali and Tahiti later this year, fingers crossed (two of my favorite regions in the whole world).
I am excited to currently be working on a new monthly art subscription club that YOU can join, called the TOI TREASURY MĀORI ART MONTHLY MAIL CLUB. This is a fun and accessible way for you to receive 4x mini collectable A6 unique art postcards in your mailbox every month, whilst simultaneously also sponsoring me to continue traveling the world sharing my Toi Māori and Māori perspectives with the world.
A win for you and a win for me.
Details of the new upcoming TOI TREASURY MĀORI ART MONTHLY MAIL CLUB will be available soon. Thank you for your continued support, you make my world go round.
Mauriora!
Mahi whakairo at Te Wānanga o Raukawa
I am really enjoying being a full time student at Te Wānanga o Raukawa again, this time learning whakairo (carving).
The last time I was here was back in 2011 when I did most of the Heke Mātauranga Māori.
So far I have completed two whakairo projects as pictured. Working in 3D is an exciting new challenge for me. I love being in a waananga environment again, and the library is one of my favourite workspaces.
I am really enjoying continuing on with my Te Reo Māori studies again too, particularly the mōteatea and karakia components.
Regarding taa moko, I am looking to be setup for tattooing again within the next month or so, here in Ōtaki.
Recent kōwhaiwhai waananga at Takapūwāhia Marae
It was lovely to be with and alongside whānau at our marae recently for our kōwhaiwhai waananga, playing with watercolours and enjoying mahi toi, kotahitanga and whanaungatanga.
I am looking forward to the rest of these waananga toi throughout this year.
LOVE LAND LINEAGE solo exhibition opening soon at Toi Māori Gallery
The most significant solo show of my career to date opens on Thursday 15th May at 5.30pm at the Toi Māori Gallery Wellington CBD. If you have been a supporter of my mahi over the past twenty years, nau mai haere mai.
The kaupapa of this exhibition is on the theme of healing.
Toi as a pathway from te pō ki te ao mārama.
Colour (which is light) as rongoā.
Symbolism and symbolic storytelling as rongoā.
Pūrākau attached to old designs as medicine.
Atua associated with our ancient symbolism and artforms, as unique medicine carriers.
LOVE (AROHA)
Healing through love for ourselves and each other. Love for our artforms, love for our traditions, love for our reo, love for our tūpuna, love for our tikanga. Love for our Mātauranga Māori, love for our Whare Waananga, love for our taiao, love for our rongoā Māori, love for the communities we belong to, love for our atua, love for our whānau, tamariki and mokopuna.
LAND (WHENUA)
Healing through connection to our lands and through practicing kaitiakitanga of our whenua. Healing from living and being tangata whenua and ahi kaa on our tūrangawaewae. Spending physical time barefoot on our significant places and pockets of land. Healing ourselves and our whānau through occupying and being present at and on our ancestral lands of spiritual importance. Healing through maintaining our lands. Healing through practicing our rangatiratanga from our special whenua and our unique places of belonging.
LINEAGE (WHAKAPAPA)
Healing through our whakapapa. Healing bloodlines. The continuum of lineage from ancestor to offspring and all that entails. Healing through the communities we belong to through our lineages. Healing through the ancestral gifts passed down to us through our whakapapa. Healing through our children and for our children. Healing through remembrance of our divine lineage going directly back to our atua.
I will have some taa moko special dates available inside of this exhibition for some of my Wellington CBD based clients. More details and exact dates to come soon, or email me on taryn.teuira@gmail.com to reserve one of these limited town spots at Toi Māori Gallery.
Two new 'little prayer' paintings now available 'HE AROHA MUTUNGA' and 'MY REASON FOR LIVING'
I have recently completed two new paintings, now available by emailing me on taryn.teuira@gmail.com. Both of these pieces are signed and dated on the back and measure 25cm by 25cm each.
I am still working on my new ‘LOVE LAND LINEAGE’ exhibition pieces for my solo show opening at Toi Maori Gallery on 15 May 2025 in Wellington CBD.
