Medina Koni is a Māori weaver whose practice is grounded in the traditions of raranga and shaped by early experiences with her kuia. Raised between Whangaroa and Hauraki, she traces her creative lineage to her grandmothers, who introduced her to weaving as a young child. Though too young at the time to retain the full depth of technique, the memory of sitting alongside them—observing, weaving, learning—left a lasting impression.

These early encounters with raranga planted the seed for what would become a deep and enduring commitment to the art form. Medina describes her return to weaving as a kind of spiritual pull—he karanga wairua—rekindled by the memory of those first small kete woven under the guidance of her grandmothers in Wahoo Valley and Omanana.

Today, her practice is a continuation of that intergenerational knowledge. Through raranga, Medina honours her heritage while contributing to the living art of Māori weaving. Her work reflects a quiet strength and a deep respect for whakapapa, materials, and process—keeping traditional knowledge alive through contemporary hands.

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