Kūwao is an independent and Māori-led artistic venue with a central kaupapa of moving towards decolonisation and reconnection. Ex-Kaitohu of The Pantograph Punch Van Mei (Malaysian-Chinese, Pākehā) will lead a kōrero with Dani Marks (Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa) and Willow Kanara (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou) at Kūwao to unpack and explain what the term LAND BACK actually means. An inspiring and vital conversation that explores ways in which we can reimagine our future as a nation.

Demystifying LAND BACK is part of our debut programme, Into the Night. Join us for a special night of celebrating local authors, storytellers and artists. Over one evening we will present a series of talks across multiple venues in Tauranga CBD. Venue hop or stay in one place; the choice is yours.

About the Speakers
Van Mei (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, curator and facilitator based in Ōhope on Ngāti Awa whenua. They are tauiwi of Pākehā and Hokkien Chinese descent. Van Mei is passionate about collective liberation for the planet, driven by a love of tangata and taiao.

Dani Marks (they/them/ia) honours their ancestral whakapapa to Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa, Fiji and Tonga by using their experiences and mātauranga to fight for all peoples’ collective autonomy and liberation. Their mahi is in youth engagement and all kinds of political kaupapa.

Willow Kanara grew up hearing the term landback as a pā kid who had the privilege to live and spend time in the whenua she has whakapapa to. Making plenty of cuppas for her Kaumātua she learnt the meaning, the power and naturally found herself on the frontline of kaupapa.