14 Māori Artists Recognised In Prestigious Awards, Ngā Taonga Toi A Te Waka Toi

He toi whakairo, he mana tangata.

Haramai rā e ngā Taonga Toi a te Waka Toi. Creative New Zealand is excited to announce the 2021 Te Waka Toi Award winners via a free online event on Saturday 9 April 2022, from 7pm-8pm.

The awards recognise a range of career stages, artforms and contributions. They include emerging artists, arts leaders, an artist with lived experience of disability, contribution to traditional performing arts (sponsored by Te Matatini), contribution to strengthening te reo Māori (sponsored by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori) and the supreme award, Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, with a prize of $25,000.

Hāniko Te Kurapa, Creative New Zealand’s Kaiwhakahaere, Te Kaupapa o Toi Aotearoa, reflects on 35 years of the Te Waka Toi Awards:

“Ngā toi Māori, Māori arts, have been severely impacted over the past few years, not only due to COVID-19 but also due to the loss of significant Māori arts exponents, Muriwai Ihakara, who was the MC of these Awards for many years, Keri Hulme, Marina Sciascia and recently Dr Moana Jackson.

Tihei Mauri Ora, is as it ever was, the breath of life and creativity of Ngā Toi Māori practitioners that descended to us in the kete of knowledge from the celestial realm, sparks us with optimism about the future, even as we mourn those who are no longer with us.

And so, this opportunity to celebrate excellence in Ngā Toi Māori and recognise the award recipients is a moment we all especially welcome this year, the third hard year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In doing so, we recognise the whakapapa of the Ngā Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi, the Te Waka Toi Awards, and those who have made these awards possible for 35 years. We thank whānau, friends, practitioners, kuia, kaumātua and our partners Te Matatini, Te Papa Tongarewa the Museum of New Zealand, and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, whose manaakitanga and support is critical. We also acknowledge Tainui and the Kīngitanga who honoured us with the gift of the name ofTe Atairangikaahu for the Supreme Award.”

2021 Te Waka Toi Award recipients

TE TOHU AROHA MŌ TE ARIKINUI DAME TE ATAIRANGIKAAHU – Exemplary/Supreme Award (1 recipient)

In recognition of leadership, excellence and outstanding contribution to Ngā Toi Māori.

Rawiri Paratene (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa) – Actor, Playwright

NGĀ TOHU Ā TĀ KINGI IHAKA – Recognising lifetime contribution (2 recipients)

Recognising a lifetime contribution to Ngā Toi Māori and strengthening Māori culture.

Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead (Ngai Te Rangi) – Composer

Dr Haare Williams (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Tūhoe) – Teacher, Poet, Artist, Broadcaster

NGĀ TOHU HAUTŪTANGA AUAHA TOI – Making a Difference Award (3 recipients)

Recognising a significant positive impact on the development and practice of Ngā Toi Māori.

Kereti Rautangata (Tainui, Te Arawa) – Master Carver, Traditional martial arts exponent

John Miller (Ngaitewake-ki-uta, Uritaniwha, Ngāti Rēhia (hapu of Ngāpuhi)) – Photographer

Dolina Wehipeihana (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tukorehe) – Dancer, Choreographer, Theatre Producer

NGĀ MANU PĪRERE – Emerging Māori Artist Award (3 recipients)

Recognising achievement by a young Māori artist at an early career stage.

Maia Keane (Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata) – Visual arts

Te Haana Paewai (Rangitāne, Ngāruahine) – Visual arts

Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana (Ngāti Hikairo, Tainui, Tūhoe, Ngāti Whakaue) – Actor, Playwright

TE TOHU IHO PŪMANAWA (1 recipient)

Recognising the contribution of a Māori artist with the lived experience of disability to the standing, and standard of Māori arts in New Zealand and/or internationally.

Cara Waretini (Ngāti Rangi, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Pākehā) – Costume Design Artist

TE TOHU O TE PAPA TONGAREWA RONGOMARAEROA – supported and selected by Te Papa Tongarewa (1 recipient)

Recognising an outstanding contribution to Ngā Toi Māori.

Hokimoana Te Rika-Hekerangi (Tūhoe) – traditional Māori arts knowledge holder, Curator, Archivist, Researcher

TE TOHU WHAKAMĀNAWA O TE MATATINI – supported and selected by Te Matatini Society Inc (2 recipients)

Recognising an outstanding contribution to Kapa Haka.

Tangiwai Ria (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) 
Trevor Maxwell (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa)

TE TOHU AROHA MŌ NGOI KUMEROA PEWHAIRANGI: ‘Whakarongo, Titiro, Kōrero – supported and selected by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori | The Māori Language Commission (1 recipient)

Recognising the recipient’s outstanding work strengthening Te Reo Rangatira.

Dame Hinewehi Mohi (Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe) – Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer

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