My painting has a simple message – to be connected to our whenua, to have your hands in the earth, to start things small so they may grow big. To be kaitiaki (guardians) on our own lands. Many trees have beautiful stories throughout New Zealand that connect with people. These trees become part of our history, part of our whanau – we return to these trees, we keep this connection for generations, the tree becomes part of ourselves. All blessings to the Kauri trees of Aotearoa.

Star Gossage (Ngati Wai and Ngati Ruanui) lives on ancestral land in Pakiri. She decided to become a painter at 17, and has exhibited regularly throughout New Zealand and overseas. “My paintings are always reflections of my emotions and feelings throughout my life. My Maori culture and the land that my whanau live on in Pakiri have been my constant inspiration. I admire our connections and the care we take to protect our whenua. My love of gardening and plants is my other greatest inspiration. Nature and emotion are universal, thus I hope my paintings can speak to all cultures, races and peoples, regardless, as we all have an understanding of loving a place and a tree.”