On the 21^st of June 2024, Ngāti Toa Rangatira invited the Melanesian Heads of Missions and the other Pacific Heads of Missions to the launching of the exhibition of Melanesian Arts at the PATAKA & and Arts museum in Porirua, Wellington, NZ. The artists from the Oceania Arts center at the University of the South Pacific, Suva, were amongst the artists who exhibited their art. The focus of the exhibition is “Environment and Ocean.”

The Exhibition was funded by the NZ ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trades (NZMFAT).

Melanesia and its cultures are not fully known in NZ. Melanesian nations and their nationals in Aotearoa are undertaking activities and programs to promote the Melanesia regions and the culture to the people of NZ.

This exhibition therefore reinforces the aspirations of the Melanesian people in NZ to expose their culture to Aotearoa.