14 minute read
A brush with identity
New Zealand artist, Sofia Minson, talks contradiction, diversity and intuition
Dyani Van Basten Batenburg
A Brush with Identity Drawing on Life
“Your art will find its audience. There are eight billion people on the planet. Not everyone has to love what you do. But someone will.” – Sofia Minson
With her mane of red hair and freckles, and fun-loving air of joie de vivre, you’d be forgiven for likening renowned New Zealand artist Sofia Minson to a modern-day Pippi Longstocking. And, whilst their characters are centuries apart in storytelling, their journeys intrinsically entwine in adventure, spirit and heart. Neither content to call just one place home, one identity her own – instead connecting with all corners of the earth and embracing shifts in inspiration. “Being born with mixed whakapapa, that links me to ancestors and relatives all around the globe, has meant that even if I wanted to, I haven’t been able to identify with one perspective or group in terms of culture of history,” says Sofia. “My hair, freckles and strong Māori heritage have afforded me the canvas – and space – to heal some of the contradictory parts of who I am.” whales and playful dolphins.
Carving connections, seeking solace
Bequest with a unique blueprint of Ngāti Porou Māori, Irish, English and Swedish lineage, and having travelled the world extensively throughout childhood – Sri Lanka, Samoa, China – it wasn’t until she embarked on a Kiwi pilgrimage that Sofia strengthened her roots. “The Bay of Plenty and East Cape have been grounding for me over the years – my mum was born in Opotiki, we spent summers at Ohope beach,” explains Sofia. “The flipside of having my eyes open to other cultures is that I found it difficult to settle back into life here in Aotearoa. So, in my 20s I took my first pilgrimage to Hikurangi and Waiapu – the mountain and river sacred to my tīpuna. After a soulful sunrise experience on Hikurangi I received a whole lot of inspiration for new paintings.” “The Navigators” was the first to be born in a long series of Sofia’s works, the most recent being “Hikurangi Rising” which features the Waiapu river swirling into the ocean, met by
“My connection to the gifts and wisdom of my ancestors was strengthened by that first and many subsequent road trips I’ve made to the East Cape. I believe that as we heal ourselves, we heal our lineages.”
No black and white
Cultural appreciation coupled with a desire to shirk societal conformity, has gifted Sofia the freedom to paint intuitively – and unhindered in her pursuit to capture the marvels, mysteries and paradoxes of the universe.
“I am playful, spontaneous and led by my right brain in the studio. As a piece starts to form, my pattern recognition and narrative forming left brain kicks in. I start to see symbols and threads within the piece that are highly synchronous and contain potent messages,” she explains. “When a painting is finished, and I get to stand back and soak it all in, I begin to write the story about the piece and give it a title.”
Find your own footing
Sofia’s advice to would-be artists, here and abroad, painter or performer – all artist mediums inclusive? “I think artists should live and create from whatever place they are drawn
to. Trust your body and intuition about where you need to be. Paradigms of learning and doing business are swiftly changing. If everyone isn’t cocreating in commercial or educational relationships and profiting happily, something’s got to change. Perhaps you have a map to a new way of educating yourself and a new model of doing business that is true for you?” she enthuses. “Living in abundance is about learning to ride the waves of money coming in and money going out.
Make Te Puia top of your itinerary when planning your family holiday in Rotorua, nestled in the stunning Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. A place of powerful energies, natural beauty and rich Māori history. Home to the magnificent Pōhutu geyser, bubbling mud pools and bush walks, local Māori have been living here for almost 700 years. Nourished by those energies that continue to shape our people and our culture today. Te Puia takes its origin from that heritage with our inter-generational guides linking directly to Rotorua’s earliest hosts from the 1800s. The stories they relay to our visitors today have been told for generations, handed down through their individual families. Our two hour guided experiences at 10.30am and 1.30pm, are not to be missed featuring the Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs and silica formations. Visitors will also see skilful artisans create timeless pieces in the arts of traditional carving and weaving at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Te Puia’s Kiwi Conservation Centre is an exciting addition to the park and is a must see, housing six resident kiwi in state-of-the-art enclosures. Be one of the first in the country to experience our brand new Geyser By Night tour, giving special access to manuhiri (visitors) to explore our geothermal home under lights! Geyser By Night offers a unique insight into our connection with the whenua (land) from a Māori world view, sharing the stories and songs of our people with amazing lighting, guiding you along the journey.
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Rain may be a frequent visitor in winter or spring, but if you also plan to visit Rotorua, never fear, there’s still so much for you and your family to do here when it’s raining – whether you prefer to stay as dry as a feather, or you’re a true duck at heart.
Keep your feathers dry here
Despite their name, Rotorua Duck Tours (pictured at top) is a super-fun family favourite that keeps you dry. Climb aboard New Zealand’s only genuine WWII amphibious vehicle for a tour that takes you over land and lakes for a chance to see and learn about some of our most spectacular scenery from a whole different perspective. Duck Tours’ guides have a definite knack for making history and geography fun, too, keeping everyone entertained – while they keep your heads well above water. Skyline Rotorua somewhat straddles the fence between a dry activity and one that might include precipitation, depending on what you choose to do. Hop into a fully enclosed gondola to ride to the top of Mount Ngongotahā. Disembark inside and head straight to Volcanic Hills Winery to enjoy the wines that are made right at the bottom of the mountain from grapes grown throughout New Zealand. If the rain isn’t bucketing, a bucketlist activity you must try is the Luge. Built right here in Rotorua in 1985, it has become a household name and a favourite for locals and visitors alike. When did you last head up on the gondola with your kids or mates to race down the tracks on Mount Ngongotahā?
If you’re like a duck to water
Pack your swimwear and roll down Mount Ngongotahā in a giant inflatable ball called a ZORB. Choose from four different tracks (or all of them!), including the world’s longest zig-zag Sidewinder Track. In colder weather, the team adds a bit of warm water to keep you sloshing around inside in comfort! Four toasty hot tubs are located throughout the park. Sit back, relax
and enjoy the view at the top of the hill and the bottom of the tracks after your rides. Hot tub use is complimentary for all participating riders. While you’re there, grab a barista-made coffee or hot chocolate too.
If there’s anything that improves with dicey weather, it’s the geothermal sites around Rotorua. It must be something about the extra humidity in the air, but the steam vents, bubbling mud, geysers and crater lakes look even more moody and surreal – perfect for your social media posts. Grab your camera and umbrella and head to Waimangu Volcanic Valley for an incredible up-close-andpersonal experience of the world’s youngest geothermal eco-system and its fascinating geothermal features. If you’ve got a full day open, check out the newest-oldest option at Waimangu, The Round Trip tour.
Water + dirt = FUN for all ages!
Off Road NZ is awesome and possibly better with rain. Take the wheel as you journey into the unknown with the ultimate 4WD Bush Safari (pictured above), the first self-drive adventure of its kind in New Zealand. Make your way through spectacular native forest with fun obstacles to negotiate along the way and under the guidance of your instructor through a CB radio. Buckle up tight for the Monster 4X4 Thrill Ride as your expert driver negotiates impossible obstacles with twists, turns and plenty of thrills in a custom-built monster Jeep. For more ideas, check out these places to wine and dine, where to enjoy our famous hot pools, and what to do if the sun chases the rain away.
Lakeview Golf & Country Club
Lakeview Golf & Country Club is a unique free-draining 18 hole, par 72 course with undulating fairways and challenging greens where everyone is welcome! Contact us to book your tee time.
Mention henry to get a $10 discount on our $40 green fees 704 State Highway 5, Hamurana 07 357 2341 lakeviewgolf.co.nz
Railcruising
Imagine sitting in control of your own rail car travelling along a railway line with nothing ahead but the unobstructed curve of the rail stretching out into the distance.
Velocity Valley
Live out your wildest dreams with an array of unique NZ adventure activities. Agrojet, Shweeb, Freefall Xtreme, V-Force, Swoop & Rotorua Bungy. Solo and family packages also available.
Drift Kartz
Come and race on our purpose-built gokart drift track and feel the power of our 400cc engines!! Its not easy…if it was it wouldn’t be fun!
Mention henry to receive a 10% discount on packages. 1335 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua 0800 949 888 velocityvalley.co.nz
Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park
Offering the best of both worlds, Blue Lake Top 10 is close to city life and the famous Redwoods Forest mountain bike trails, while still being able to enjoy the quietness away from it all. Mention henry - pay for two races and we will give you three 10 Old Taupō Road, Rotorua 07 345 6211 driftkartz.co.nz
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
Explore Secret Spot and enjoy hot tubs, Shinny Dips, bakery food and Good George craft beverages. Tasting our lovely Manuka roasted coffee is a must!
Mention henry to receive a 20% discount
11 Kaponga St, Mamaku, Rotorua 0800 724 574 railcruising.com
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
Visit one of Rotorua’s iconic tourist destinations and New Zealand’s most visited archaeological site. Choose from a self-guided experience or ask our friendly team for guided tour times.
Kids under 12 go free
1180 Tarawera Road, Rotorua 07 362 8287 buriedvillage.co.nz Mention henry to receive a free paper Bike Trail Map 723 Tarawera Rd, Lake Okareka, Rotorua 0800 808 292 bluelaketop10.co.nz
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Soak in pure natural geothermal waters direct from the magnificent Te Manaroa Spring, perfect for you, friends and family to beat the winter chills and truly relax! Open daily 10:30am to 8:00pm (first pools start draining at 7.15 pm).
View our website to get family package & view other bathing and combo options 648 Waikite Valley Road, Rotorua 07 333 1861 hotpools.co.nz 10% discount off a relaxing cedar hot tub soak with promo code: Soak4u 13/33 Waipa State Mill Rd, Whakarewarewa 0800 73 77 68 secretspot.nz
Rotorua Heritage Farm – 3D Trick Art Gallery
Art, not as you would expect it to be! A perfect place to get memorable photos of your whole family, friends or couples, no age or height limits are required to enjoy this immersive attraction.
Check out our website for specials. Open 7 days. 171 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs 07 349 0920 3dtrickart.co.nz
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Soar through the trees and experience ancient New Zealand forest like never before – in two unforgettable zipline adventures. This is a must-do multi award-winning adventure not to be missed!
Voted the world’s best experiences by TripAdvisor 2021. 147 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 0800 226 679 or 07 343 1001 canopytours.co.nz
Kaituna Cascades
Join the original Kaituna rafters on an epic journey down 14 amazing rapids in a warm water jungle canyon, including the world's tallest commercially rafted waterfall. Great for groups, families and couples.
Use promo code henry on our website to save $30 per person 18 Okere Falls Road, Okere Falls, Rotorua 027 276 5457 kaitunacascades.co.nz
Paradise Valley Springs
Get up close with New Zealand’s wildlife, birds and farm animals. Purchase food and hand-feed the alpacas, emus, deer, goats, wallabies, trout and more. Open 7 days.
Amokura Glass
Amokura Glass is Rotorua’s only hot glass studio and gallery. Our workshop is open to the public Friday through Monday with workshops running on Sundays.
Good Eastern Taphouse
Needing a cold refreshing beer after an epic ride? A cheeky wine with the ladies? Or a relaxed family meal? Good Eastern Taphouse has you covered.
See our website for our rituals
279 Te Ngae Rd, Rotorua 07 345 4476 goodeastern.nz
Volcanic Air
From the Rotorua lakefront, take a short scenic flight across neighbouring Lake Rotoiti, only accessible by water. You will spend 90 minutes in a secluded bay at the Rotoiti Hot pools.
Adult lion feeding 2.30pm every day Lion cub patting from 10.45am every day 467 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua 07 348 9667 paradisevalleysprings.co.nz Watch our artists create hand-blown glass or take a workshop to try it yourself 153 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs 027 608 6545 amokuraglass.com
Rotorua Duck Tours
(Amphibious Sightseeing Adventure)
Ride New Zealand’s only WWII Landing Craft (The Duck), enjoying incredible lake and mountain scenery. Visit up to four lakes. Roll down clear sides and heating for winter. Fun for all.
Adventure Playground Rotorua
Whether you are after an adrenaline-filled off road Buggy experience, a stunning scenic horse trek or some fun claybird shooting - this is the place to be - set in spectacular scenery overlooking Lake Rotorua and beautiful native bush set on Mt Ngongotaha..
Mention henry to receive a 10% discount. Two tours available
1241 Fenton Street, Rotorua 07 345 6522 rotoruaducktours.co.nz We are here when you need to have fun!
451 Ngongotaha Road, Rotorua 027 408 4322 info@adventureplayground.co.nz 2 hour remote hot pools experience by Floatplane $185 per adult/$139 per child Lakefront Drive, Rotorua City Lakefront 0800 800 848 volcanicair.co.nz
Off Road NZ
Pulse-racing, adrenaline-pumping adventures that are perfect for everyone. From our self-drive 4WD Bush Safari, to the Monster 4X4 Thrill Ride, and heartracing Raceline Karting, this truly is the adventurer’s playground of their dreams.
Book in your Christmas event
193 Amoore Road, RD2, Rotorua 07 332 5748 offroadnz.co.nz
