Āta — Held in Light
About the Collection
A long-term body of portrait work, created over time through connection, trust, and shared experience. The individuals portrayed are not chosen for status or recognition, but for who they are —
their character, their contribution to others, and the way they are held within their communities.
Each portrait begins with relationship. There is no application or commission process. Subjects are invited by the artist — often over time — and with the support of whānau.
They are held as a growing collection — a living archive of people whose presence and stories carry meaning beyond themselves.
Āta — to listen with care,
to think with intention,
to speak with honesty,
and to move gently through the world.
Each person in this collection is, in their own way, held in light.
"Te Kaitiaki"
Matarika Howard
Oil on Canvas – 750mm x 690mm
Āta Held in Light Collection
By Lana Kingsbeer
Fourteen years before this portrait was painted, I experienced a vision — the face of a mature Māori woman, cloaked in feathers, carrying a quiet yet powerful presence. I did not know who she was, but the feeling stayed with me, as if I was being called.
Years later, after moving to the Bay of Islands, I attended a rāhui proclamation at Te Rāwhiti. In that moment, I felt the same unmistakable energy. I turned and said, “She’s here.” As a woman stepped forward to lead the karanga, I knew — it was her.
That woman was Makarita Te Nana Howard.
When we finally spoke, I shared the story of the vision and asked if I could paint her. Though hesitant at first, she agreed, and over time the work unfolded as something far greater than a portrait. It became a meeting point between past and present, wairua and lived experience.
Te Kaitiaki carries the essence of a kuia — a guardian of people, knowledge, and way of being. It reflects the values of āta: to listen carefully, think with intention, speak with care, and move through the world with awareness.
This work is not a political statement, but a reminder — of connection, of presence, and of the quiet strength that guides us when we choose to walk gently with one another.
He Wāhine Toa — “Kuia” - Wini Williams
Oil on Canvas – 850mm x 590mm
Āta Held in Light Collection
By Lana Kingsbeer
Aunty Wini is a beloved figure in Russell — a woman of warmth, wisdom, resilience, and deep community ties. Born in 1936 at Rāwhiti and raised by her grandfather, Matutaira Rewha, Wini’s early life was shaped by te reo Māori, rural simplicity, and a strong sense of whānau. Orphaned young, she was brought up by her extended family and educated across the Bay of Islands, where she learned to navigate two worlds — Māori and Pākehā — with grace.
Wini’s working life was as dynamic as her spirit. From home help in Kaitaia to a waitress at The Duke of Marlborough, she later became a schoolteacher — one of the few Māori women of her time to do so. Her teaching career spanned primary to secondary schools across Aotearoa, including pioneering work with children with special needs and as a junior school advisor. She was renowned for her ability to connect with even the most challenging students, always with aroha and understanding.
Married to Trevor Williams, a local teacher and community leader, the pair raised a family and were deeply involved in education and civic life wherever they lived — from Waikare to Gisborne, and eventually back home to Russell. Wini continued to serve her community after retirement, managing the Russell Op Shop, playing bowls, and offering wisdom wherever needed.
Aunty Wini’s story is one of service, strength, and quiet leadership. This portrait honours a life lived fully — in the classroom, on the marae, and at the heart of her community.
This portrait honours Aunty Wini’s legacy — a wāhine toa whose life speaks to manaakitanga, mātauranga, and enduring aroha for her people and place.
