Carol calls time on Kura

Liz Roe and Carol Hunter outside Kura Gallery. The gallery is closing after nearly 30 years of providing an outlet for Māori and contemporary art.

Carol Hunter has been manning the low desk at the end of the long and narrow Kura Gallery since 1998 but is now calling time on nearly three decades in the business.

By Chris Marshall

Sandwiched between Replete and Spacecraft, Kura has for 28 years been an outlet for fine art, photography, jewellery and the likes of small sculptural works from artists and creatives as far north as Rawene and south to Dunedin.

“It's a real mix… we sell a bit of everything. It's hard to say what we sell more of,” says Carol.

The initial concept was to focus on contemporary Māori art but the business has changed slightly over the years because it was hard to define.

“Is it a Māori artist? Do they have to be Maori? So, it all just got too hard. But definitely the focus is on Maori art, and contemporary New Zealand work.”

All the artists have to be New Zealanders.

Before opening Kura, Carol was involved in establishing the Taupō Trade Aid store – at one point on the opposite side of Te Heuheu St but now gone as the organisation retrenched in the face of challenging times – ones Kura has managed to surf through to remain a profitable enterprise.

“I knew there were a lot of really good New Zealand artists out there and they weren't getting the profile they deserved.”

Since she opened, similar galleries have popped up around the country.

“It's great to see. Good for the art. Good for the artist. Good for the country. Good for the profile of art.”

Following a short-lived partnership, she has run it herself with a handful of “loyal employees” over the years; Angela, Sheree, Lynne, and Liz.

She has built up relationships with many artists.

“Some of them we've had since we opened. All getting older now. And they're all pretty sad that we’re closing.”

The lease comes up for renewal at the end of July and “I really can't see me physically being able to do another two years”.

Kura’s customers are mainly domestic tourists, along with “discerning” international visitors and expats.

“I've never done social media because I simply haven’t had time.”

Kura provides an outlet for local artists as well, but it needs to fit into “this little meeting house”.

She leaves with no regrets – selling or returning to the artists the remaining stock.

“I've loved it. I've enjoyed chatting with customers…”

She is sure the relationships she has built up with various artists will continue.

She has learned a lot about Māori art and Māori customs since she’s been operating the gallery and when she retires she is going to concentrate on improving her understanding of Te Reo Māori.