Tanekaha Creative and The Awhi Incubator
Tanekaha Creative have been working with AwhiWorld as part of our Awhi Incubator Project. In this short video, Teina and Lili share their experience, discussing how they have been technically supported with skill building and knowledge and the support they have been given for their exciting new business venture.
About Tanekaha Creative Ltd: Elevating Events Beyond Imagination
Tanekaha Creative Ltd is a leading events production company specialising in audio, lighting, projection mapping, and music. They engineer unforgettable experiences, from vibrant festivals like Tai Tokerau and Matariki to acclaimed productions of classics such as The Taming of The Shrew and MacBeth.
Their technical expertise, innovative approach, and collaborative spirit ensure every event leaves a lasting impression on all who attend.
“With the skills taught to us from Awhiworld programme Awhi Incubator, projection mapping and animation have been added to the experiences we can provide to your next event.”
About Teina Strongman and Lili Meihana
Teina Strongman is a musician, audio engineer, and business co-owner of Kerikeri-based Tanekaha Creative Ltd with his partner Lili Meihana. With 20+ years of experience as a musician and 10+ years of experience with music production and audio engineering, and a Bachelor in Audio Production and a Bachelor in Contemporary Music, Teina has pursued a career in multidisciplinary arts and events to encourage the growth and development of creativity within the Far North and is committed to educating fellow enthusiasts in his area to achieve their innovative visions utilizing technological tools specializing in audio, music, lighting and recently learned – 3D Projection Mapping.
When not working on music or working on bringing his clients artistic visions to life on stage, he can be found enjoying a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his socially awkward party, or spending time with friends and family.
Teina is currently working on an album with his partner Lili for their electronic trio project “Monkey Sweatshirt” and is working on music with friend, and fellow musician, Darrah Rihari-Cook.
Born in Rotorua, Lili Meihana has grown up around music within her own household and has pursued the creative arts from an early age. As a co-owner of Kerikeri-based events production company, Tanekaha Creative Ltd, Lili has relentlessly worked hard on her visual arts skills as well as her music and audio production endeavours utilizing qualifications: Bachelor in Audio Production and Bachelor in Contemporary Music gained from Southern Institute of Technology and has considerable knowledge in the creative industry with 10+ years of experience. She has committed herself to gaining knowledge of efficiently operating her business and creating new music for her electronic music trio project “Monkey Sweatshirt” and aiding in writing music for fellow musicians with less experience in songwriting and has recently gained a keen interest in animation and 3D Projection Mapping and Lighting.
When away from her business and creative projects, Lili can be spotted adventuring with her strong-willed and quick-witted party in Dungeons and Dragons and will often sneak away to read a good novel while listening to some good music.
Lili is working on new music with Monkey Sweatshirt, writing new songs for her band Luci Night Train, and creating art for new apparel merchandise for Monkey Sweatshirt, Luci Night Train, and Tanekaha Creative Ltd.
Based in Kerikeri, Lili can be contacted via [email protected].
About ARG Lab 24 & Awhi Incubator
This online experience is part of the Alternative Reality Gardening Lab – a creative innovation event within the capacity-building Awhi Incubator Project. ARG Lab 24 showcases research conducted by participants and collaborators of the Awhi Incubator during 2023/2024.
Following a successful publication and symposium in 2023, ARG Lab 24 was a transdisciplinary collection of exhibitions, events, performances, workshops, and talks exploring diverse perspectives on place. It occurred across Te Tai Tokerau|Northland from May 17th to the 25th.
Underpinning the lab were themes of resilience, diversity, sustainability, and an expanded understanding of the concept of ‘place”.
Places today are formed from multiple intelligences, materialities, and lifeforms and are intersected by a rich array of alternative realities and parallel worlds. Flora, fauna, signals, and code entangle, and what is considered real, true, alive, and beautiful is negotiated. The lab explores emerging new types of gardens. What is being cultivated (internally, creatively, physically, spiritually)? What is thriving, and what needs protection? What new lifeforms and materials are emerging, and how do they intersect with what exists now?
ARG Lab 24: TV

Thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage | Manatū Taonga for funding the Awhi Incubator Project through their Innovation Fund.



















