From knighted professors to community heroes, those who have shown excellence, leadership and made an outstanding contribution to Maori arts, were honoured at the Te Waka Toi Awards at Wellington’s Town Hall on Saturday.

From knighted professors to community heroes, those who have shown excellence, leadership and made an outstanding contribution to Maori arts, were honoured at the Te Waka Toi Awards at Wellington’s Town Hall on Saturday.

The annual Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Awards are the only national Maori arts awards to celebrate all art forms. Established in 1986, they recognise achievement in areas including writing, composition, oratory, performing, object and visual arts. Two scholarships are also awarded to emerging artists.

“Whether they’re international icons, or treasured heroes of small communities, every one of the recipients has made an important investment in the future of Maori arts”, said Darrin Haimona, Chair of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand.

“Our people champion a range of art forms. As we strengthen our local roots and stretch our wings internationally, we must also celebrate the achievements and commitment of those who’ve already done so much for the kaupapa” said Mr Haimona.

The Maori King, Te Arikinui Kingi Tuheitia announced Distinguished Professor, Sir Sidney Moko Mead (Hirini) as the recipient of the prestigious, Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Sir Sidney’s award will be formally presented at his marae later this year.

Widely recognised for his standing in education and iwi politics, Sir Sidney is also a writer of stories, music and poems, and has published books on Maori arts and culture for 50 years. The number of cultural aspects he has covered and the continuous nature of his writing, make him one of this country’s most prolific writers. The award recognises Sir Sidney’s commitment to passing on artistic knowledge to enrich others, and the overall exemplary contribution he has made towards the retention and development of Maori arts.

Emeritus Professor Sir Tamati Reedy was recognised for his life-long promotion of Te Reo Maori with Te Tohu Aroha mo Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: ‘Whakarongo, Titiro, Korero’. Acknowledged as having an incomparable command of te reo Maori, in accepting his award, the former Secretary of Maori Affairs and Chair of the Maori language sector review panel Te Paepae Motuhake, credited his grandparents with his life-long passion for the language.

A group of five kaumatua received Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka. The esteemed men and women were acknowledged for their extensive knowledge of a Maori artform and their willingness to share that expertise to enrich others, particularly their own communities. Experts in tribal knowledge, visual and performing arts were honoured.

Acclaimed contemporary artist Robyn Kahukiwa, was awarded Te Tohu Toi Ke, the award for Making a Difference. Over 30 years, her work has promoted Maori culture nationally and internationally, and has proved innovative, challenging and important in the broadening perceptions of Maori art. In galleries of the world, or award winning children’s books at home, Robyn’s instantly recognisable style is seen as an affirmation of the mana of Maori art. Formerly a secondary school art teacher, Robyn Kahukiwa is now one of the most widely represented artists in New Zealand’s public art collections.

Two scholarships were presented to emerging artists. The recipients were Wellington-based graphic designer and carving restorer, Tai Kerekere who is completing a Bachelor of Maori Art through Te Wananga o Aotearoa; and visual artist and weaver Karangawai Marsh who is in her second year of a Master’s degree in Maori Visual Arts at Massey University in Palmerston North.

Background

The 2011 Te Waka Toi awards recognise:

The significant, long-term contribution to the preservation and development of Maori arts and culture made by Sir Sidney Moko Mead (Hirini) of Ngati Awa, with Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu;

The creative innovation and international profiling of contemporary Maori art and issues by Robyn Kahukiwa (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngati Hau, Ngati Konohi, Whanau a Ruataupare, Te Whanau a Te Ao), with Te Tohu Toi Ke;

The life-long promotion of Te Reo Maori by Sir Tamati Reedy (Ngati Porou), with Te Tohu Aroha mo Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: ‘Whakarongo, Titiro, Korero’;

The huge commitment of five kaumatua, who through their generosity and talent, enrich the artistic traditions of communities, with Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka;

Ema Rogers, (Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Whakatohea, Ngai Tahu) founder of the prestigious Kapa Haka o Te Whanau a Apanui

Maika Mason, (Ngai Tahu) pounamu expert

Dr Ngapare Hopa, DPhil (Oxon), MNZM, (Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa) the first Maori woman to gain a PhD from Oxford University

Dr Marilynn Webb, ONZM, Hon LL.D (Nga Puhi) acclaimed print maker and educator

Te Riaki Amoamo, (Te Whakatohea) tohunga of Te Whakatohea tikanga, whakapapa, reo, history and tohunga of the Ringatu Church.

Te Waka Toi awarded scholarships, Nga Karahipi a Te Waka Toi, to two emerging artists, Tai Kerekere (Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngai Tai, Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, Nga Puhi) and Karangawai Marsh (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Raukawa, Te Arawa).