Unitec Institute of Technology Gate 4

Welcome to Unitec Institute of Technology Gate 4, located at 154 Carrington Road in Auckland, New Zealand. As a renowned establishment and point of interest, we are proud to offer a diverse range of programmes and short courses, catering to various fields of study from architecture to zookeeping.

One of the highlights of our institution is the Toi o Wairaka gallery, which serves as a platform to showcase the latest contemporary art and design projects by students, staff, and other artists and designers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Guided by the values of Te Noho Kotahitanga, this project space for research and creative practice also plays a vital role in supporting teaching and learning through a dynamic annual programme of activities.

The name "Toi o Wairaka" holds deep significance, chosen by the School of Creative Industries kaimahi (workers). It reflects our connection to the land and water, invoking the spirit of Rakataura, who discovered the aquifer, and Wairaka, who brought forth the puna (spring) that is the heart of Unitec.

As the Te Pūkenga Executive Director Rohe 1, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga emphasizes, the gallery not only demonstrates our support for the wider arts community but also strengthens our relationship with external festivals and institutions. This space allows for exhibitions to travel between sites, fostering collaboration and engagement.

Toi o Wairaka serves multiple roles, functioning as a research facility, a teaching and learning space for both postgraduates and undergraduates, a hub for external art practitioners, and a professional arts space for industry learning. It encompasses various disciplines, including screen, moving image, craft, painting, print, photography, performance, sculpture, object, installation, design, and new technologies.

Beyond the gallery walls, we aspire to make the arts visible to the wider community. One example of this is the Te Pātaka Art Trail, a community art trail that opened earlier this year at Unitec-Te Pūkenga. We strive to extend our reach and impact, bringing the arts to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond.

Toi o Wairaka was officially opened this week with the exhibition "Mid-Year: Semester One Graduands, Design & Contemporary Art," featuring the impressive work of talented individuals such as Alyssa Beckwith, Dhriti Bhatia, Glaszia Luwenta, Tusia Sione, and Elvira Trowbridge.

Curated by Gina Ferguson and her dedicated team, the gallery has an exciting lineup of exhibitions and events scheduled throughout the remainder of 2023. For more information on the schedule, please visit www.facebook.com/uniteccreative/.

We invite you to explore the vibrant world of art and design at Unitec Institute of Technology Gate 4, where creativity knows no bounds.