Ko wai au
Tēnā koutou, he matakirikiri au nō runga Mauao Maunga, he ia taiheke nō Te Awanui kua papaki ki uta kia mihi atu nei. ko Rhian Smith tōku ingoa
I am a multi-disciplinary ringatoi Māori born and raised in Tauranga Moana with whakapapa connections to Ngāi Te Rangi (Ngāi Tukairangi), Ngāti Ranginui (Ngāti Hangarau, Te Pirirakau), Ngāti Porou (Te Whānau a Ruataupare) me Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Manu). Currently a resident artist at Okorore, Ngā Toi Māori Gallery and Studios located in the Tauranga Historic Village, I love to explore with my creativity and work and explore with multiple mediums such as painting, whare pora (weaving), whare tapere (Māori theatre) digital design, photography, videography and composition of waiata (māori songs). Working as a multi-disciplinary ringatoi Māori majority if not all of my works are influenced by my whakapapa, mātauranga Māori and impactful moments of then and now.
Toa | Shop
Workshop Facilitation
If you are looking to partake in something new, below are some of the workshops that are currently available.
Painting with whenua workshop Facilitation
Earth Pigment workshop. Create your own masterpiece using earth pigments that you will create while learning about old and new ways this practice is being used.
Perfect activity for group or team bonding, kaiako/teacher both personal and professional development programs
Prices may vary and are kaupapa/project based,
please get in touch for more information.
Wheako | Experience
Education
Heke Whare Tapere (Diploma in Literary Performing Arts)
Te Wānanga o Raukawa
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Poupou Karanga (Certificate in Karanga)
Te Wānanga o Raukawa
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Toi Paematua - Diploma in Māori & Indigenous Art - Weaving
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa ki Tauranga Moana
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ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Makeup
Elite School of Beauty (Tauranga) Formally known as Face and Beauty Academy
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Heke Mātauranga Māori (Diploma in Mātauranga Māori)
Te Wānanga o Raukawa
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Exhibitions
2025
Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award 2025 Finalist Exhibition.
Original artwork titled TE METE made out of tae whenua (earth pigments) on canvas.
Currently on display at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Wellington, until August 13 2025
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2024
Tae Ako
(Curated by Rhian Smith and Hayley Smith, a group show exhibiting works from first time whenua practitioners and first time exhibitors)
Okorore Ngā Toi Māori Taonga Studio and Gallery
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2023
Waiariki Art Auction
(Group Art Auction)
Kūwao Space
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Pūrakau
(Group show)
Okorore Ngā Toi Māori Taonga Studio and Gallery
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Te Huihuinga o ngā Hue
(Group show)
Okorore Ngā Toi Māori Taonga Studio and Gallery
2021
113
(Group art exhibition)
The Peoples Gallery
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