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Takarunga: A Natural History
July 19 @ 8:00 am – August 23 @ 5:00 pm
Tate Agnew – Takarunga: A Natural History
19 July – 23 August 2025
DEPOT 3 Vic Road
3 Victoria Road, Devonport
Exhibition Opening:
Saturday 19 July, 10:30am – 12pm
Artwork: Tate Agnew, Ascension, 2024, oil on canvas.
About the Exhibition:
Takarunga: A Natural History by Tate Agnew delves into the ecological and social history of Takarunga (Mount Victoria) through a series of paintings, revealing its rich history and the often-overlooked depth of its ecological significance.
Through a meticulous scientific study, Agnew examines the mountain’s endemic lichen and moss species, microbial footprint, and topographical features, uncovering hidden ecological narratives that shape Takarunga’s identity.
Beyond the natural world, the exhibition explores the concept of legal personhood for natural entities, prompting reflection on how such frameworks could be applied to other taonga places in conservation efforts.
Deeply rooted in the Devonport area, this body of work speaks directly to the local community while addressing universal themes—highlighting how understanding and recognising a place’s history is essential to its restoration and preservation. Visitors are invited to engage with these ideas, fostering a broader appreciation for the interconnected relationships between history, ecology, and conservation.
About the Artist:
Tate Agnew (Ngāpuhi) is a fine artist and illustrator studying Ecology, zoology, and History at Otago University. Agnew’s work has been shown in over ten exhibitions across New Zealand and the United States, and can be found in 2023 children’s book A Fairy Farm Family, Pūhia, speck zine, and several murals across Auckland.
