30 Sep 2026
A new short film steps inside the exhibition, Taharaki Skyside by Fiona Pardington (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) ONZM, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia.
Filmmaker Tim Stone talks with Fiona and her brother, Neil Pardington, (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) Creative Director of the exhibition, about the making of Taharaki Skyside.
"Look for the wairua, it's always not far away."
- Fiona Pardington (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) ONZM, on how she honours the manu she photographs
Filmed in Venice, the short film offers a glimpse into an exhibition where the birds appear as taonga, ancestors and spiritual messengers, moving at the threshold between the physical and metaphysical worlds.
The film’s background audio immerses viewers in the sound world of the Pavilion, including two audio works created for the exhibition that enrich the exhibition’s atmosphere and the world it creates.
‘He Rau ki Taharaki’ (waiata) composed by Hana O’Regan (Kāi Tahu) and performed by Hana O’Regan, Puamiria Parata-Goodall and Karuna Thurlow (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Aitanga a Mate).
‘Kāhui Mokemoke (I, II, III)’ (sonic work) features taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments), music and sound design by Thomas Carroll (Ngāti Maru, Hauraki Tainui), Rob Thorne (Ngāti Tumutumu, Ngāti Tamaterā, Hauraki Tainui) and Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu), and engineering and production by Justyn Pilbrow (Ngāti Kahu, Te Whānau Moana).
Since opening, Taharaki Skyside has drawn widespread international attention and acclaim, with coverage featured in CNN, The Guardian and other outlets. ArtLyst recognised it among the standout presentations of the Biennale, and The Times selected it as one of its top seven pavilion exhibitions.
Taharaki Skyside is on view at the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion in Venice until 22 November 2026. The exhibition’s expert delivery partner is Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and it is curated by Felicity Milburn and Chloe Cull (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki). The exhibition will be available for New Zealand audiences to view at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū from mid-2027.