Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to Kiribati and the arts.

Kiribati master artist restores pride in lost art forms

Louisa Murdoch Humphry was made an Honorary Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to Kiribati and the arts. 

The 69-year-old Kiribati born artist who resides in Thames grew up and was educated in Tarawa. She had a natural curiosity for the heritage arts and gravitated toward knowledge holders to hone her craft. 

“I was always very interested in weaving. Like anywhere in the Pacific, weaving was for practical purposes – for the thatching of our huts, mats to sit or lie on, baskets to put food in.