Some spaces are built with walls and a roof. Others are built through the people who gather inside them.

That’s the idea behind Tātai Manawa, a kaupapa Māori space at Country Lane in Tāhuna Queenstown that is bringing together artists, storytellers, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs, community organisations and whānau in a way that’s continually evolving. Rather than following a fixed programme, Tātai Manawa is growing organically through the people who walk through its doors.

Grounded in te ao Māori and shaped by whānau Māori o Tāhuna, Tātai Manawa welcomes anyone who wants to gather, create and connect. Since opening, the space has hosted everything from live whakairo and traditional weaving to film screenings, exhibitions, movement practices, kōrero, music, wellbeing experiences and community discussions.

At its heart, the project asks a simple but powerful question… what becomes possible when people from different backgrounds share the same space?

For those behind Tātai Manawa, the answer has been inspiring.

Rather than creating a calendar of events and asking people to fit into it, they began with an intention and allowed the community to shape what came next. Artists wanted to exhibit. Facilitators offered workshops. Community groups brought important conversations into the space. New collaborations emerged almost daily, creating something that feels less like a scheduled programme and more like a living expression of the community itself.

That collaborative spirit extends well beyond those organising the activation. Artists, volunteers, local businesses, community organisations and cultural practitioners have all contributed their time, knowledge and generosity, helping transform the space into something shared rather than owned. Special acknowledgement also goes to Country Lane, whose support has made the activation possible.

Visitors can expect a rich mix of experiences.

On any given day, you might watch master carvers at work, learn traditional weaving techniques, hear local musicians, explore an exhibition of contemporary Māori art, join a conversation on community issues, or simply sit down with a cup of tea and meet someone new.

The organisers say there isn’t one headline attraction. Instead, it’s those unexpected moments of connection between artists, locals, visitors and whānau that have become the true heartbeat of Tātai Manawa.

One highlight still to come is the opening of a major Toi Māori Art Exhibition, curated by Frances Piacun, showcasing an impressive collection of contemporary Māori artists connected to the region and across Aotearoa.

While Tātai Manawa is already creating meaningful connections today, those involved see it as something much bigger than a temporary activation. Their long-term vision is to establish a permanent kaupapa Māori gathering place where creativity, mātauranga Māori, community and collaboration continue to flourish for generations to come. A place where locals and visitors alike can connect through culture, conversation and shared experiences. 

If you’d like to experience Tātai Manawa for yourself, the invitation is simple… come along to Country Lane, attend an event, have a cup of tea, and be part of the kaupapa.

The team also welcomes artists, storytellers, facilitators, volunteers and organisations who feel aligned with the vision and would like to contribute. Whether you have an idea, a skill to share, or simply want to help shape what comes next, Tātai Manawa would love to hear from you. You can visit the space in Country Lane or get in touch via [email protected]

As the organisers reflect, one of the biggest surprises has been just how quickly the community embraced the space. 

Conversations, collaborations and new relationships began almost immediately, suggesting that perhaps Tātai Manawa arrived at exactly the right moment for Tāhuna. And, if all goes to plan, this is only the beginning.