Awardee: Dan Hikuroa (Tainui, Ngati Maniapoto, Te Arawa), University of Auckland
The Awardee will undertake the Whakaaweawe Impact and Transformation Grant titled Te Waharoa Hīnātore.
Light has always carried meaning. Hīnātore, the soft glow found against Ranginui’s chest, in te moana whitiwhiti a Tangaroa, and sheltered within te wao nui a Tane, connects people to story, place and imagination. For Māori, hīnātore is both a physical phenomenon and a spiritual presence, embodied as an atua, whose light guides, inspires, and sustains connection between people, whenua and the cosmos.
This project continues that legacy by creating Te Waharoa Hīnātore, a bioluminescent gateway to be unveiled during Matariki 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau. Passing by or beneath the luminous waharoa will invite the public into a space where science, mātauranga Māori and mahi toi converge. Beyond the waharoa, participants’ glowing microbial artworks will form a constellation of living light, reflecting collective imagination and community voice.
The project has three aims:
- To design and create a glowing waharoa.
- To hold workshops where participants can create glowing microbial artworks.
- To share knowledge through a public facing booklet and a scholarly article about bioluminescence in te ao Māori.