Auckland artists promote Tongan tapa art in California

Three Auckland women, Tui Emma Gillies, Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows, and Aroha Heilala Gillies, are traveling to California to host Tongan tapa art workshops. They aim to help participants reconnect with their cultural roots. The workshops focus on "healing heritage arts." The family is raising funds for the trip, with Creative New Zealand matching contributions up to $3,000. This initiative marks a new effort to share Polynesian culture in the U.S. The artists believe their work can provide comfort and connection during challenging times.