Renowned Ngāi Tahu photographer Fiona Pardington has been endorsed to represent Aotearoa at the 2026 La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale). She says she is excited at the opportunity to showcase her work.

“It was a bigger feeling it’s a feeling that is nebulous and it’s just moving around me, and the energy is awesome, and everything is coming together and the goodwill that I’m receiving it’s really touching,” says Pardington.

“I see myself as very fortunate and I’m confident in my work.”

Leaning into the knowledge and expertise of her whānau, she is excited at the opportunity. She says her whānau and iwi play a part in what she showcases at the biennale.

“It’s not a heavy burden but I’m going forward for Aotearoa and for our creatives because they have to come with me. I’m working with Hana O’Regan, she is one of my favourite muses, my whanauka.”

Pardington was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for her services to photography. Her career spans four decades and her works have been exhibited here at home, and abroad. She hopes that what she displays at the biennale will resonate with people of all ages.

“I see a wonderful opportunity for us to speak to the children and to bring a kete of knowledge. I’m working with Ngāi Tahu on that. Bringing language and the fundamental understanding that we have of Papatūānuku,” she says.

The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa has partnered with Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Christchurch Art Gallery. The new partnership will ensure the project’s day-to-day management is overseen with extensive skills, knowledge, and expertise in the curation and delivery of large-scale exhibitions.

Pardington joins the alumni of notable Māori artists who have exhibited at the Biennale such as Lisa Reihana, Michael Parekowhai, and Mataaho Collective artists Erena Baker-Arapere, Sarah Hudson, Bridget Reweti and Dr Terri Te Tau.

Ko ngā toi Māori ki te ao.

Nō te Āperira o te tau ka hori, i whakaaturia e Mataaho Collective te whakaaturanga o Takapau ki te taiopenga toi ki Venice. I reira i whakamānawatia ai rātou ki te tohu whakahirahira ‘Golden Lion’. Hei tā te Pou Arahi Toi o Toi Aotearoa, tā Haniko Te Kurapa, kua kaha tā tātou kite i te pai o ngā toi Māori ki Wēneti.

“He tohu te whai wāhitanga o ngā kaitoi Māori pēnei i te Mataaho Collective me Fiona Pardington ki te Venice Biennale o te whāinga kia kaha tonu te whakaatu i te hōhonutanga me te whānuitanga o ngā toi Māori me ngā toi iwi taketake ki te ao.

“Heoi anō, ehara i te mea ka tohua noa ēnei kaitoi i te mea he uri Māori rātou, ka tohua i runga i te kounga o a rātou mahi i te ao toi.”

Kei te whakarite a Fiona i ngā mahi ka whakaaturia e ia. Hei te puku o tēnei tau ka haere atu ia ki Venice ki te whakarite i tana whakaaturanga. Hei te tau e tū mai nei ka rewaina ōkawatia te whakaaturanga.