He Kete Iti brings together 101 newly created kete iti (small woven baskets) by 32 contemporary Māori weavers from across Aotearoa New Zealand, presented in dialogue with historical kete from the Whanganui Regional Museum collection.

Developed and toured by the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre, Whanganui Regional Museum is the first stop on its national tour.

Led by renowned multimedia artist Dr Maureen Lander MNZM (Ngāpuhi, Te Hikutū) and co-curated with Taarati Taiaroa (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Apa), He Kete Iti explores how knowledge is generated, shared, and sustained through making, looking closely, and working together.

In this inspiring presentation, the contemporary kete are suspended above selected historical kete from the Museum collection, creating a striking visual dialogue between past and present. This installation reveals long histories of innovation, adaptation, and mātauranga Māori embedded within these intricate forms, and highlights the continuing vitality of weaving traditions today.

Whanganui weavers Karanga Gundersen, Aroha Ranginui, Nadia Tamihana, Purewa Hodge, and Matthew McIntyre Wilson contributed to the kaupapa. Their works return to the Museum collection that helped inspire their practice, creating a meaningful reconnection between makers and taonga.

Tradition, artistry and imagination are woven together in this remarkable exhibition. For a short time only – come and see it now.