Cheree Te Orangaroa Downes is a local Māori artist from Murihiku, Southland. Her work is crafted using traditional techniques, handed down through many generations.

Cheree's tactile artwork fuses tradition with contemporary art elements; her passion, the historical and storytelling elements capture the viewer. Cheree was taught to weave over twenty years ago by her family, friends and elders. She weaves harakeke (flax) and muka (flax fibre) and combines these with various materials such as metal, animal skins and rustic woods.