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Some of our country’s most talented and dedicated tohunga, artists and community leaders have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to Maori arts.

Some of our country’s most talented and dedicated tohunga, artists and community leaders have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to Maori arts.

The annual Te Waka Toi Awards, held in Wellington on Saturday 31 August, are the only national Maori arts awards to celebrate all artforms. Established in 1986, they recognise achievement in oratory, literature, music and performance, object and visual arts. Two scholarships are also awarded to emerging artists.

“These amazing people are enriching many lives and communities with their impressive careers and contributions to customary and contemporary Maori arts,” said Darrin Haimona, Chair of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand.

“It is a privilege to be able to recognise and celebrate their passion, generosity and devotion to promoting and preserving Maori arts.”

Supreme award

Acclaimed contemporary Maori artist Darcy Nicholas, QSO (Te Atiawa, Ngati Ruanui, Tauranga Moana) has received the supreme award, Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Mr Nicholas has been actively involved in the contemporary Maori art movement since the late 1960s. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, and his distinctive work is held in many private and public collections world-wide.

Making a difference to the arts

Te Tohu Toi Ke a Te Waka Toi has been awarded to renowned actor, writer and director Rawiri Paratene, ONZM (Ngapuhi). The first Maori student to graduate from the New Zealand Drama School, he has been a stalwart of New Zealand stage and screen for more than 30 years.

Lifetimes of service to Maori arts

Kaumatua and kuia who have devoted their lives to Maori arts were honoured with Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka.

Fred Graham (Ngati Koroki Kahukura, Raukawa) – Tohunga contemporary sculptor. An important figure in Maori art since the early 1960s, Mr Graham’s paintings and sculptural works are many and varied, but his central themes are inspired by Maori traditions and legends.

Dr Hohepa (Joseph) Mason, QSO, PhD (Honoris Causa) (Ngati Awa) – oral arts. Dr Mason has for many decades been an unwavering supporter of his iwi and hapu. Renowned as a holder of customary knowledge, Dr Mason remains an active member of Te Kahui Kaumatua, the principal advisory body for Te Runanga o Ngati Awa. He is highly regarded as a custodian of hapu whakapapa, waiata and the history surrounding the exploits of many tribal tipuna.

Renee, ONZM (Ngati Kahungunu) – feminist, dramatist and fiction writer (theatre and literature). Renee has been involved with community theatre, the Broadsheet Collective, PEN, radio shows, and since the 1950s has been involved in many community projects and campaigns to promote equal opportunity and human rights.

Rore Hapipi (Rowley Habib) (Ngati Tuwharetoa) – playwright, poet and author. Mr Hapipi is one of the first writers to bring a genuinely Maori perspective to New Zealand stage and screen. His play Death of the Land is seen as a landmark in the development of Maori theatre.

Tiwi Black (Tuhoe, Whanau a Apanui) – oral arts. Mr Black has been a long time servant of his community, hapu and iwi, supporting marae, schools, the Ruaoki Sports and Cultural Club, and Te Kapa Haka o Te Karu. He has been an integral part of Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe since the first hui over 40 years ago.

Strengthening the Maori language

Dr Patu Hohepa, PhD, MA (Ngapuhi, Te Atiawa) has been awarded Te Tohu Aroha mo Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi. As a former Professor of Maori language and former Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, Dr Hohepa has dedicated more than 40 years of his life researching, developing, lecturing and advocating for the revitalisation of te reo Maori.

Two special awards to recognise contributions to revitalising heritage Maori arts – Te Tohu a Te Waka Toi

Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby, MBE (Te Rarawa, Ngati Kahu) – Tohunga and leading figure in the revival of traditional Polynesian navigation and ocean voyaging using wayfinding techniques. The master waka builder and traditional navigator has built at least 30 waka, including several waka hourua (double-hulled sailing waka) – most notable, Te Aurere.

Jack Thatcher (Ngati Porou, Ngati Awa, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui, Ngati Pukenga) is a master celestial navigator. He joined traditional waka hourua Te Aurere in 1992 and has been the navigator since 1995. Mr Thatcher was chief navigator of a recent epic voyage to Rapanui (Easter Island) and back.

Two scholarship winners – Nga Karahipi a Te Waka Toi

Deane-Rose Marie Ngatai (Ngati Porou) is studying towards a Master of Design at the Unitec Institute of Technology. Her work explores, investigates and showcases the diversity of Maori identity in urban settings using photography and new media.

Damen Joe (Waikato/Tainui) holds a Master of Art and Design (AUT University) and is studying extramurally for a Masters of Preventative Conservation from Northumbria University in the UK. He currently works in this field at the Auckland Library as a conservation technician.

Media Release: Creative New Zealand