Over the weekend, my husband and I travelled to Whakatāne to attend Toi Kupu Toi Ora, a beautiful space co-created by Rangipare Ngaropo, and Karena and Kasey Bird.
This was my second time attending, and I can say it’s something I would go back to every single year!
So let me give you a little breakdown of what I loved most 🥰 while sharing a few photos from our evening, including some of the incredible kai, beautiful people and a few little treasures I came home with.
First of all, the atmosphere. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful, warm and inviting spaces to be in.
A celebration of wāhine Māori, storytelling, beautiful kai and simply coming together to enjoy one another’s company.
What I especially love is the mix of people who attend. Different ages, different backgrounds, and while the majority are wāhine, many brought their partners along too, which I thought was really beautiful. I brought my husband, who enjoyed himself!
And can we talk about how GLAM everyone gets?! 😍 I absolutely love seeing everyone dressed up, looking beautiful, letting their hair down and just enjoying themselves. There’s something really special about being in a space where everyone feels welcome, celebrated and comfortable enough to just be.
Then there’s the storytelling and the KAI!
The evening is a beautiful weaving of Rangipare’s storytelling with the interpretation of kai by Karena and Kasey Bird. The way the stories and food come together is something you really have to experience for yourself.
We had crudo, tuna, tītī, Doris plum pudding and some fabulous peach concoctions. Every dish was an experience in itself, and honestly, the kai was SO good!
And don’t even get me started on the hāpāi ō! They were all volunteers, including a lot of rangatahi, and let me tell you, they took their jobs seriously! They did a magnificent job looking after everyone throughout the evening. You could see the care and effort that went into making sure we all had a beautiful experience.
There were exhibitions to enjoy, which of course meant a little bit of shopping. 😂
One of my friends is the talented wahine behind Wearing Synz in and I have a BIG obsession with her mau taringa. I already own a multitude of her pieces, but naturally, I couldn’t leave without adding another pair to my collection! I’ve shared a photo of my newest purchase too.
I also picked up a copy of Rangipare’s new pukapuka which was another highlight of the weekend. 
One thing about me is that sharing kai with people is sacred. I don’t often share kai in intimate settings, because for me, there’s something quite personal about sitting down, breaking bread and sharing that experience with others.
But this? This is a space I would happily return to again and again. It’s uplifting, it’s fun, it’s warm, and there’s just so much beauty in seeing our people come together to celebrate our culture, our stories, our creativity and one another.
I think what I appreciate most about Toikupu, Toiora is how intentional the entire experience feels. From the storytelling to the kai, the people, the atmosphere and all the little details in between. Nothing feels rushed or thrown together. It’s beautifully curated, intimate and genuinely enjoyable.
I really want to celebrate Rangipare, Karena and Kasey, and their entire team for pulling off such a beautiful experience for us all to enjoy. The amount of mahi that goes into creating a space like this doesn’t go unnoticed, and I have so much appreciation for what they’ve created.
If you ever get the opportunity to attend, GO! Already looking forward to the next one! ❤️