113 Taranaki street, te whanaganui-a-tara

Presented collectively 

Kia kawea tātou e te rēhia

Let us be taken by joy and entertainment

Our UDB whare is inspired by the rich cultural traditions of Māori, Pasifika & indigenous communities, they are the heart and soul of our artistic and cultural exchange. In this space hapori come together to revel in the joys of life, uniting people of all backgrounds and celebrating their diverse cultures.

Taranaki St offers a sanctuary for tangata whenua and tanagata tiriti creatives to collaborate and collectively share our cities' pūrākau, the cherished stories of our whenua. The essence of this location in its mission to unite hapori and empower it to be self-sustaining.

We acknowledge the whenua we stand on, Taranaki St, between the waterfront, Te Aro Pa & Pukeahu. There is a long & turbulent history of this area & in particular we acknowledge the painful history of the people of Parihaka.

Also to note our whenua outside the door was once mud flats with plentiful flounder… we would welcome that back over the traffic!

We are looking to projects!

That can be performance, musical, wananga, exhibition, book & album launches… or whatever creative dreams you may have.

In simple terms as a koha based site, this is an experiment of how to make commercial space affordable to share with our creative community while acknowledging our indigenous histories.

Kaupapa + Tikanga

If you’re interested in accessing our space, don’t hesitate to reach out - kiaora@urbandreambrokerage.org.nz

Book launch and performance by Rachel O’Neill, joined by Lucky Pollock aka beet-wix presenting an original piece composed for the book. Link to Tender Press online store directly to the book.

An evening of raranga (weaving) with rongoā inspired refreshments, perfect for absolute beginners or intermediate weavers that want to learn a new tāpiki - lock off or close. Otari Raranga website

A week of sound resonance by Erika Grant & her set of gongs. Gong bathing as well collaborations with other sound explorers made for a deep, healing week of sound. Images: Florence Hilyer-Brandt.

Community space! Bookshop! Films! Discussions! Dance class! Poetry and writing workshops! Community dinners every Wednesday! Chutney making and cooking classes! Art Making! Karaoke! All is free and all are welcome. See ya at the Palace!

The artwork, (Pū)oro, consists of 248 pūtangitangi; small round instruments made by hand with natural clay and pigments. An exhibition, performance & fundraiser… artist website linked here.

Pōneke based writer Brannavan Gnanalingam celebrated launching their new novel alongside publisher Lawrence and Gibson. Please support by purchasing this & more from the publishers website direct.

We welcome these three rōpū in sharing their work in our space, thanks to Te Ranga Tai Kura for the support.

August 2024 - Solo work in development by Tupe Lualua. My thoughts are complex, I am inspired by so many things that have nothing to do with each other but seem to be connected.

May 2024 - launch of new publication Everything That Moves Moves Through Another, an anthology from mixed-heritage creatives across Aotearoa. Images: Florence Hillyer-Brandt

Moving image, VJ & vibrational healing sessions at 113 Taranaki St | Public installation at Glover Park as part of UDB/WCC series

March 2024 - textile collective supporting Free Palestine movement. Images courtesy of artist.

HOLDING SPACE

First evening of kōrero was held at the temporary 115 Taranaki St , providing a platform to discuss the idea of Holding Space from an indigenous arts perspective.

Coordinated by Herbee Bartley of Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts at Massey University. Hosted by Shannon Te Ao (Artist and Senior lecturer at Massey University), the panel included Kurt Komene (Taranaki Whānui, Te Āti Awa artist and cultural practitioner.), Tupe Lualua (Director & dancer of Le Moana), Ani O’Neill (Multi-disciplinary artist & member of Pacific Sisters Collective) & Ash Holwell (Taranaki St property owner & community facilitator).

An evening that provided the beginning of this new journey, with UDB and our wider creative whānau. We want creatives to share the stories of place, acknowledge this whenua & its people.