Riki has collaborated with Art Fetiche on a number of projects, including works in Victoria Square, Christchurch, and Kura Tawhiti, Castle Hill
Riki Manuel is a cherished member of the whakairo rakau and tā moko communities and has made an invaluable contribution to the visibility and continuity of Māori art in Te Waipounamu.
A graduate of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute under the tutelage of Hone Taiapa, Riki was well known through his workshop, gallery and tā moko studio, Te Toi Mana Māori in the Christchurch Arts Centre (1985-2011),
He spent many years teaching Māori art in the wider region and has practised and promoted Māori carving and moko throughout the world including Singapore (1986), San Diego/USA (1992), Belgium (1996), The Netherlands (1998) and New Caledonia (1990 and 2000).
Significantly Riki has completed many important commissions conveying the history of Ngāi Tahu including the pou whenua, ‘He poupou tohu aki-a o Ngāi Tahu (1994) for Victoria Square on the banks of the Avon River, an important site of early exchange between Ngāi Tahu and European settlers.
He’s also worked on the wharenui Wheke (2010) at Rāpaki (Te Wheke) marae at Te Rāpaki-o-Te-Rakiwhakaputa with Fayne Robinson, ‘Kākano Puananī’ and ‘Tūhura’ (2018), which convey Ngāi Tahu origin stories at Tūranga Christchurch Library and more recently, three pou whenua for Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill, a site of immense cultural and historical significance.
Riki is a current member of Te Uhi ā Mataora, the national network of ringa tā supported by Toi Māori Aotearoa, and was honoured by his peers as a founding figure in the revitalisation of tā moko at the 2024 Moko Ora Symposium.
Fayne is one of our whānau, having worked with and alongside us for over 15 years now. He is one of our trusted artists and we love bringing his works to life
James is an artist that has worked with us to make lasting impact on our landscape
Pou Whenua Standing tall at Castle Hill to represent Mana Whenua
Victoria Square is an excellent example of art installations impact on urban spaces
The Institute's new headquarters and research centre forms part of the agricultural science precinct.
