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A new art gallery has opened in Rotorua to immediate success.
Not surprising as the gallery is combining some long traditions with modern creations.
Its name stems from the centuries old practice of tamariki doing the haka for a penny from visitors to Whakarewarewa village recorded on an early Rotorua publicity postcard of 1904.
While it's housed in a building formerly occupied by the Scholes gallery which was in its time among the early promoters of works by such artists as Toss Woollleston and Colin McCahon alongside traditional Maori art.
For the opening exhibition seven established contemporary Maori artists have specially created works around the theme of Matariki reflecting new beginnings based on old traditions.
Curator Dianna Lee Raukawa-Doughty says the exhibition clearly hit the right note with the works on show being rapidly snapped up.
She says as well as featuring well-known artists, Penny Haka wants to be a platform for emerging artists from throughout New Zealand and internationally.
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