Driving Creek Pottery

Ahi Kaa: Ngā Kaihanga Uku and Friends Return to Driving Creek, November 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Ngā Kaihanga Uku (the Māori Clay Artists Collective) and friends will be returning to Kapanga to rekindle their long-standing relationship with Driving Creek.

The rōpū will be at Driving Creek from November 2 – 9, hosting a series of public workshops and talks and opening a major exhibition.

Born out of Ngā Puna Waihanga (the Māori Writers and Artists Society), Ngā Kaihanga Uku (NKU) initially came together between 1987 – 1991. Founding members Baye Riddell, Manos Nathan, Colleen Waata-Urlich, Paerau Corneal, and Wi Taepa are collectively known as Ngā Tokorima.

Without a ceramic (fired clay) tradition in Aotearoa, NKU sought to “awaken and raise a Māori ceramic tradition,” in the words of founding member Baye Riddell.* Inspiration was close at hand: “Māori clay stories are intertwined with our creation narratives.”* The NKU kaupapa is to “work with clay from a Māori perspective, share resources and knowledge and connect with other indigenous clay artists.”*

NKU members come together to learn and share in wānanga. Through these gatherings, Ngā Tokorima have passed their knowledge and skills on to the next generation of uku (clay) artists and NKU members. They have exhibited in Aotearoa and internationally to widespread acclaim, and have also formed important connections with indigenous clay artists around the world.

Left to right: NKU founding member Manos Nathan with Hirini Maika, Taihaere Maika, Hamuera Maika and Carl Bowman, Driving Creek, late 1980s. Photographer unknown, Driving Creek Collections

The relationship between NKU and Driving Creek began with a friendship between Barry and Baye. In the late 1970s, Baye joined the infamous pottery “Dos” at Driving Creek – making pots, building kilns and helping on the railway. Baye acknowledges Barry’s influence on his own creative journey:

“His ‘Kiwi’ approach to pottery using local materials and exploring iconic New Zealand themes in his work, such as the freezing works and the New Zealand Railways, was for me an inspiring departure from the Euro-Asian influences I had previously experienced. This approach helped articulate and ratify my emerging Māori clay perspective.”

Baye and the NKU rōpū were regular visitors to Driving Creek over the years. Oloa Ora, an exhibition of Māori and Pasifika art (including pieces by NKU members), was showing in the Driving Creek Gallery in 2016 at the time of Barry’s death. Soon after, NKU returned to hold a wānanga in Barry’s honour. Pieces made by Baye, Carla Ruka, and Mike O’Donnell were installed at “Hoki Mai” station, overlooking the entrance to Barry’s burial site.

Barry and Baye, with two of Baye’s sculptures for the “Oloa Ora” exhibition, Driving Creek Gallery, 2015. Photo courtesy of Baye Riddell 

When Driving Creek lost Barry, it also lost many of the relationships he had formed. We hope that together we can reignite this precious connection.

NKU members and friends will return to Driving Creek from November 2 – 9 for a wānanga. Alongside their gathering, members will host daily public workshops and talks. These will cover a range of making and decorating techniques – from using shellac resist and water etching to create textured surfaces, to making ipu whenua and ipu puehu (ritual vessels for placenta and ashes). Details and bookings at drivingcreek.nz/ngākaihangauku.

Ahi Kaa, an exhibition of work by NKU members and friends, will open on November 8 in the Driving Creek Gallery. Curator Chantel Matthews is bringing together a group show to “pay tribute to Driving Creek’s ethos, pioneered by Barry Brickell. Inspired by what it means to keep the fires burning as a potter/uku artist, we consider the hard work, determination, and love for the land and art that continue to burn today.”

* Quotes by Baye Riddell from his book Ngā Kaihanga Uku (Te Papa Press, 2023).

Workshop and Event Details

Ukupapa with Dorothy Waetford – Sunday November 2nd

Wheel Throwing with Kaeleb Ngatai – Monday November 3rd

Kūmara Ora with Amelia Blundell – Monday November 3rd

Glazes: Inspiration and Discovery with Karuna Douglas – Tuesday November 4th

Making a Carved Ceramic Roller with Fleur Palmer – Wednesday November 5th

Pupurangi Pendants with Todd Douglas – Thursday November 6th

Ipu ki te Whenua with Rhonda Halliday – Friday November 7th

Daily Artist Talks with NKU Members and Friends – November 2nd – 7th

Ahi Kaa Exhibition Opening – Saturday November 8th

Ahi Kaa Curator and Artist Talk – Sunday November 9th

Find out more at: drivingcreek.nz/ngākaihangauku

The Incubator Creative Hub

Robyne Dowdall  – Yutori

Artist Bio Robyne Dowdall is an emerging multidisciplinary artist based in Tauranga, Aotearoa, with a background in commercial art, photography, garment design and creative direction across stage, film and print now working with clay, creating ceramic vessels. Her work is grounded in a deep respect for nature, a passion for research and a commitment to slow, sustainable making. This sensibility drew her into the world of bonsai, where the discipline’s quiet observation and reverence for natural form led her to notice a need for handmade, useful objects. Dowdall questions the proliferation of the mass-produced and is committed to a zero-waste practice, choosing to create vessels that are functional, unique and made in small quantities.

The exhibition  is characterised by unpretentious qualities, humble forms and a natural stone-like character… This is further enhanced by the use of simple, functional designs and clean lines. The beauty of their pottery lies in its simplicity, striving to embrace imperfection and connection to nature. As their practice became more simplified so did the line of the vessels. A key aspect is the appreciation of finding beauty in nature. Showing imperfections of a piece rather than hiding them ….’ making the mark’

Sponsored by Gate Pa New World this exhibition launch preview is 5^th of September.  Everyone welcome.

On display in The Pot House Gallery, 6^th September  – 21^st  September.

Waiclay National Ceramic Award 2025

Remember to get your entry in by 24 September 2025! Shortlisted finalists will be advised by 12 October.

The exhibition will be held at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery 12 December – 22 March 2026, opening and awards 11 December.

Full info and conditions of entry are on https://waiclay.co.nz/

We are proud to present our 2025 Selector/judge is Andile Dyalvane who is renowned for his spiritually infused, large-scale works honouring Xhosa traditions. Dyalvane brings profound cultural insight and international acclaim to this year’s exhibition. We’re thrilled to announce that he will lead an exclusive 2 day handbuilding Vessel Making Workshop in conjunction with Waiclay 2025. Head over to our Andile Workshop page for more information and make a reservation.

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Inquiries to Janet Smith oakford1951@icloud.com

2023 Premier Award winner Suzanne Sturrock, with judge Greg Daly