Our Story

Cherry Te Peeti-Tapurau is a self-taught artist and a descendant of Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu. Cherry draws strength directly from her tūpuna (ancestors). She has been creating art for over 30 years working with a variety of media such as canvas, wood, mortar, glass, copper and pounamu.

 Cherry now works with pounamu and is the sole student of one of New Zealand’s most influential and respected contemporary pounamu carvers – Te Kaha.

  Cherry is the owner-operator of the Tiki 2 Gallery based in Dannevirke. This is the third that Cherry has owned.  The first being in the Bay of Plenty in the early 2000's.  After moving home Cherry opened up in 2016 and has since moved to the current location at 258 High Street.

The gallery presents her handmade art pieces including pounamu taonga.  Other local artists showcasing their art are John Lawerance, Joshua Wilson. Ara Peeti, Ngamihi Stephenson, Judith Giddens and Arapera Paewai. 

‘As a Māori wahine I believe we need to be strong in all aspects of our lives. I feel blessed to be able to share my work and pass on the aroha that I feel when creating a precious taonga. I embrace the never-ending knowledge of my tūpuna and forever will be their humble student.’