Wharenui HarikoaAll projects

Wharenui Harikoa

Vibrant life-size crocheted “House of Joy” by Lissy & Rudi celebrates Māori heritage, pride and community.

Bathed in vibrant magenta light, a figure pauses in deep reflection within the Wharenui Harikoa installation. The carved pou glows beside him, symbolising strength, whakapapa, and connection, while the haze of light creates a dreamlike atmosphere. This striking moment captures the wairua (spirit) of the kaupapa – a blend of ancestral presence and contemporary expression, inviting audiences to feel both awe and intimacy in the House of Joy
Inside Wharenui Harikoa, the atmosphere is alive with mist, light, and movement. A performer stands illuminated at the heart of the crocheted wharenui, holding a woven taonga high, while the Cuetone Media crew capture the moment with precision and care. The interplay of lens, light and legacy reveals the power of collaboration, where art, performance, and film converge to honour kaupapa Māori and carry its spirit out into the world.

Wharenui Harikoa · the “House of Joy”

A life-size crocheted wharenui created by artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole. This extraordinary work celebrates Māori culture, connection, and resilience, and has been exhibited around the world, including a landmark showing at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Cuetone Media was proud to create the video installation that accompanies this vibrant piece. Our role was to capture not only the breathtaking scale and colour of Wharenui Harikoa, but also the deeper kaupapa that threads through every stitch – a celebration of whakapapa, whanaungatanga, and aroha.

Working closely with Lissy and Rudi, we crafted visuals that immerse audiences in the joy and manaakitanga of the project. For us, it was more than documentation – it was collaboration: a chance to help share a kaupapa that brings pride to Māori heritage and inspires communities across Aotearoa and beyond.

Wherever Wharenui Harikoa travels, our film travels with it, amplifying its story and carrying its message of pride, healing, and collective creativity.

Our film for Wharenui Harikoa captures the joy, pride, and cultural spirit of this world-travelling work of art.