"Te Whenua," a contemporary leadlight stained-glass window, marks the reopening of the Aigantighe Heritage House. Created by Arowhenua artist Francine Spencer and commissioned by Aigantighe Exhibitions Curator Izzy Hillman, the work is a powerful expression of Spencer’s cultural heritage and commitment to mana whenua—the rights and responsibilities of tangata whenua (the indigenous people) to care for the land.

Spencer, who whakapapas (traces her ancestry) to Taranaki, Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Rapuwai, and Ngāi Tahu, integrates themes of Māori sovereignty, Tino rangatiratanga, into her design. The window’s lower panel features four koru, symbolising four key groups invested in the Aigantighe's future: the Grant Family and their descendants, the Friends of Aigantighe and South Canterbury Arts Society, Timaru District Council, and the wider community of visitors and art lovers.

Additionally, Spencer incorporates three kete, or baskets, referencing the three kete of knowledge in Māori tradition. These baskets were gathered by Tāne Mahuta and represent different types of wisdom: Te Kete Tuauri (ancestral knowledge), Te Kete Aronui (knowledge of the natural world and the arts), and Te Kete Tuatea (knowledge of good and evil).

The design blends cultural heritage with contemporary resonance, intertwining respect for mana whenua with a broader Māori worldview and guardianship (tikanga). The vibrant colours and flowing forms of the stained glass reflect the diverse whakapapa (ancestral lines) and stories defining both the Aigantighe Heritage House and its community. By positioning this window in the Heritage House, Spencer creates a meaningful intersection where history and modernity converge, fostering manaakitanga—a spirit of hospitality and care.

"Te Whenua" is more than an artwork; it reflects the sacred responsibility of guardianship shared by Aigantighe’s kaitiaki (guardians). Through her work, Spencer honours her whakapapa and enriches the collective memory, encouraging a deeper understanding of the land’s journey and our connections to it.

Te Whenua is on semi-permanent display at the Aigantighe Art Gallery as part of the Domestic Reveries exhibition, running until April 27th, 2025.

Arowhenua artist Francine Spencer, Roselyn Cloake, and Aigantighe Exhibitions Curator Izzy Hillman