The work was originally made for Whakamamae ('to feel pain'), an exhibition Rapira Davies had with painter Robyn Kahukiwa at the Wellington City Art Gallery in 1988. Ngā Morehu pays tribute to the strength and resilience of Māori women.
The artwork was created for an exhibition called "Whakamamae" (meaning "to feel pain") by artist Rapira Davies, which featured alongside Robyn Kahukiwa's work at the Wellington City Art Gallery in 1988. Ngā Morehu is a tribute to the strength and resilience of Māori women.