Aotearoa manu take world art stage as 61st Venice Biennale opens

By Creative New Zealand | Posted: Monday May 11, 2026

Aotearoa New Zealand has unveiled its national pavilion, Taharaki Skyside, a major new exhibition by Fiona Pardington (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) ONZM, at the opening of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Taharaki Skyside presents 17 striking, large-scale portraits of taxidermied manu from museum collections across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Among them are kākā, kea, takahē, tūī, kākāpō and more. Each exquisite image reveals and affirms the mauri (life force) of the manu.

Of her work, Fiona says: “Each manu is a testament to the interconnectedness of science, memory and spirit. Bringing their presence to Venice is both a call to action and an honour.”

The public can view Taharaki Skyside and the rest of the Biennale, from 9 May to 22 November 2026. The exhibition will also be presented for New Zealand audiences at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū from mid-2027.

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