Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga

Tracey Morgan was initiated into Māori weaving by the Kāpiti Weavers at the age of 16 and mentored by Hereke Ethol Jenkins of Paraparaumu, who in turn was taught by Tracey’s great grandmother, Ngawati Morehu. She then went on to undertake a Bachelor of Applied Visual Arts and Design at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua.

“I was taught on the understanding that I would teach”, a principle that Tracey has practised in her career as a tutor, educationalist and advocate for Māori weaving, serving on Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa National Committee, and currently as Editor of the Weavers’ magazine and Deputy Chair of the Toi Māori Aotearoa Board of Trustees.

Tracey is focussed on customary weaving techniques, pattern and colour though confidently deploys this knowledge in new and creative ways.

She also draws inspiration from relationships she has built with other indigenous weaving communities. By incorporating these influences into her weaving, Tracey acknowledges the positive impact of these exchanges and her experience of feeling part of a global fraternity of weavers.

Recent exhibitions include:

Tiaho Mai, Kiwibank Paraparaumu

Te Ringa Māhorahora, Toi Matarau Gallery, Māoriland Film Hub, Ōtaki