Naera Ohia Photography

10/06/2026

Introducing photographer Naera Ohia of Naera Ohia Photography (Ngāti Pūkenga | Ngai Te Rangi), one of our panelists for Ururangi: Navigating Creativity.

Naera’s practice is grounded in memory, identity, and connection. Her journey into photography began over a decade ago through deeply personal experiences of loss, love, and the fear of forgetting — including the passing of her beloved Nan, becoming a māmā, and caring for her Koro through dementia. As one of our panelists, Naera brings a powerful perspective on storytelling and visual identity, exploring how photography can empower people to see themselves reflected, strengthen cultural connection, and carry stories forward for future generations.

Naera joins a dynamic panel alongside Teraania Ormsby, Max Yeager, and Iata Peautolu - each bringing their own lived experience and creative lens to the kōrero.

Ururangi: Navigating Creativity
When: Wednesday 1 July, 5pm - 7pm
Where: The Kollective, 145 17th Avenue, Tauranga

Be part of the conversation. Whether you’re a creative, a storyteller, or simply curious, Ururangi offers a space to listen, learn, and connect.

Secure your spot here: https://events.humanitix.com/pae-k-rero-ururangi-navigating-creativity

01/06/2026

Throw🔙 to the Ngāti Pūkenga Wānanga Taiao 🌿 pt.1

On this day we spent time reconnecting with our whenua, awa, moana and the mātauranga held by our people. Des Heke took us up to Ōtawa, sharing kōrero about the significance of the whenua around us. Matua Ropata welcomed us onto his whenua and guided us through thriving rongoā, native trees and plants - a reminder of how much knowledge lives within the ngahere when we slow down enough to listen.
Aunty Hinenui and uncle Tom showed us how to test the health of our wai in the Waitao awa before we continued on to Te Tahuna o Rangataua. It was powerful seeing science and mātauranga Māori sitting alongside each other, both helping us better understand our responsibilities as kaitiaki.

These wānanga are more than learning, they're about strengthening our connection to Te Taiao, to each other, and to the places that hold our stories. Grateful to everyone who shared their time, knowledge and aroha.

Kia Pūkenga Te Tū 🌿

31/05/2026

Light, music, memory. ✨

I’m grateful this night happened before the weekend took an unexpected turn. The truck can be repaired, photography gear can be replaced, but nobody can steal these memories ♾️

30/05/2026

Some musicians become part of the soundtrack of your life. Ask me about any phase of mine & I’ll give you a song, and there’s a good chance it’ll be one of Matt’s 😆

I’ve been listening to Matt Corby since 2013. Back then I was living in Australia, working an office job, secretly taking screenshots from his Made of Stone music video and printing them out so I could take them home and draw them lol

Thirteen years later, I found myself standing in a crowd, camera in hand, finally hearing those songs live while doing what I love 📸🥹

I originally edited these in colour, but I kept coming back to black and white. It felt more like his music sounds-raw, reflective, and soulful. Less about documenting a concert and more about remembering how it felt to be there.

Just a fan in the crowd with her camera, a decade of memories and a voice that has somehow found its way into so many seasons of her life ❤️ you were amazing

Also big thanks to for loaning me the fixed-lens X100VI for the night! What a beauty of a camera 😍 I’d happily recommend it to anyone wanting a high quality compact camera to conveniently document life in a way thats not only true to colour, but feeling too ❤️

06/01/2026

Kaumātua Ball Part 3

Please add names in comments if you recognise your whānau & friends so I can add names to each photo :-)

Ngā mihi xx

06/01/2026

Kaumātua Ball Part 2 💃🕺

Please add names to comments so I can add to the photo description :-) ngā mihi

05/01/2026

Tauranga Moana Kaumātua Ball - Dec 2025

Find the rest of the photos in the link below to download ❤️🤗

https://naeraohiaphoto.pixieset.com/taurangamoanakaumatuaball2025/

17/02/2025

10/02/2025

📸 Māori in the Moana – Whānau Portraits Now Available! 🌊✨

Last Thursday, we celebrated Waitangi Day in the best way possible—by embracing and uplifting our culture.

A huge mihi to everyone who joined us! If you had your picture taken and would like to access your portraits, Naera Ohia has captured these special moments for you. Ngā mihi nui to Naera for her incredible mahi in preserving the essence of this kaupapa through her lens.

📍 View here: https://naeraohiaphoto.pixieset.com/moriinthemoana2025/

08/02/2025