New exhibition explores freshwater future

A touring exhibition harnessing the power of contemporary art to shed light on an urgent environmental crisis opens this Saturday 13 December at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.

Unutai e! Unutai e! was developed by Dunedin Public Art Gallery in collaboration with Ngāi Tahu leaders and photographer Anne Noble. It explores the deteriorating state of fresh water across the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (territory).  

In 2020, Ngāi Tahu filed a statement of claim with the High Court seeking recognition of rakatirataka (authority) over wai māori (fresh water) within their takiwā. Rakatiratanga is not ownership or control but would enable Ngāi Tahu to exercise responsibilities and obligations over freshwater as the people who have lived alongside our rivers and lakes for centuries, for the benefit of all South Islanders and future generations. 

To support this claim they enlisted photographer Anne Noble to document the crisis. Her work evolved into a powerful visual archive, capturing both the environmental degradation and the resilience of whānau, hapū, and iwi striving to restore wai māori, uphold rakatirataka, and protect mahika kai practices. 

The exhibition journeys from the source of fresh water through polluted waterways before concluding with a hopeful exploration of projects dedicated to restoring balance and finding solutions. 

Christchurch Art Gallery Curator Melanie Oliver says this exhibition is particularly relevant for our region.  

“Canterbury’s braided rivers and wetlands are central to our identity, yet they are among the most impacted by environmental degradation. Unutai e! Unutai e! brings these issues into the gallery space in a way that is both immersive and urgent. 

“The stories shared here are not just about loss – they are about resilience, whakapapa, and the enduring relationship between people and place. It’s a privilege to host this exhibition in Ōtautahi, where these conversations are deeply relevant. 

Visitors will also encounter portraits and personal narratives from claimants, environmental advocates and mana whenua, reflecting on the changes they’ve seen in waterways during their lifetimes.  

"First-hand accounts from deeply connected local leaders – including Te Maire Tau, Gabrielle Huria, and Dr Elizabeth Brown – illuminate the profound connection between culture, identity, and the environment,” says Oliver.  

Join us on opening weekend – Saturday 13 September from 10am – with your tamariki for a hands-on workshop where young environmental champions can create their own badges celebrating the protection of our precious waterways. 

Toured by Dunedin Public Art Gallery Unutai e! Unutai e! will be on display at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū until 19 April 2026.