Ko Uhia Mai

Ko Uhia (Let it be known)

Ko Uhia Mai is a larger than life video artwork produced by internationally recognised Ngāi Tahu artist Rachael Rakena to celebrate the Rugby World Cup.

The six minute long work features six current players from the New Zealand Women’s Rugby team, the Black Ferns, and celebrates their success as current Women’s Rugby World Cup champions through a large-scale public projection on to the side of a building on the corner of Kelvin and Esk Streets in central Invercargill. It opened on 8 September and runs to September 18, playing continuously throughout each night as part of the Taste of Southland Festival.

The work is presented by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the combined Otago rūnanga (Ōtākou Runanga and Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki Rūnanga) and the Southland rūnanga (Waihopai Runanga, Oraka-Aparima Runanga, Awarua Runanga and Hokonui Runanga).

Ko Uhia Mai is the sister exhibition to Haka Peepshow in Dunedin’s Octagon – an artwork that considers the sexualisation and commodification of Maori and indigenous sportsmen through the use and exploitation of their masculinity and their culture, in the media.

In the context of the Rugby World Cup, Ko Uhia Mai and Haka Peepshow use art to tell lesser known stories, connecting Māori, rugby and haka.

The Black Ferns have won four consecutive Women’s Rugby World Cup titles – something unparalleled in rugby history.

They have won 55 of 58 International test games. ‘Ko Uhia mai’ is the name of the Black Ferns’ haka written by Whetu Tipiwai and has been translated as ‘Let it be known’. The artist invites the viewer see these women as role models and strong elite athletes, and ask themselves why don’t they feature in television endorsements, sponsorship and advertising despite their remarkable international success? Let the Black Ferns and their story be shared and known widely.

Ko Uhia mai (Let it be known)

Composed by Whetu Tipiwai.