The Te Waka Toi awards are the premier awards in the field of ngā toi Māori (Māori arts). They have been awarded by Creative New Zealand and predecessors since 1986.[1] The awards recognise tohunga (skilled people), artists and community leaders across all arts forms including visual and performing arts.[2]

There are seven awards, including Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (Exemplary/Supreme Award), Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka (Sir Kingi Ihaka Award), which recognises the recipient's lifetime contribution to Māori arts and Te Tohu Toi Kē a Te Waka Toi (Making a Difference Award).[1]

List of award recipients

Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu | Exemplary/Supreme Award

Winners of Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the exemplary / supreme award in 'recognition of leadership, excellence and outstanding contribution to Ngā Toi Māori'[3]

Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka (Sir Kingi Ihaka Award)

The Sir Kingi Ihaka award is for kaumātua in 'recognition of their contribution to strengthening the continuity of Māori culture through their support of ngā Toi Māori'.[3] Laureates since 2019:

Te Tohu Toi Kē a Te Waka Toi | Making a Difference

Te Tohu aroha mō Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: “Whakarongo, Titiro, Kōrero” | Award for strengthening Te Reo Rangatira


Ngā Manu Pīrere | Award to recognise emerging Māori artists

Te Tohu o Te Papa Tongarewa Rongomaraeroa | Outstanding contribution to Ngā Toi Māori

This outstanding contribution award of $5,000 is funded and selected by staff at Te Papa.[5]

Te Tohu Whakamanawa o Te Matatini | Recognising outstanding contribution to Kapa Haka

These awards have a prize $7,500 and are funded and selected by Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa.[5]

Te Tohu Iho Pūmanawa | Recognises the contribution of a Māori artist with the lived experience of disability

Te Māori Award | Recognising Leadership in the Development of the Te Māori Exhibition

Supported by Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust

Manaaki Taonga Award | Recognising the work of a Māori Artist who fulfils the legacy of Te Māori ‘He Taonga Tuku Iho’

Supported by Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust

References

  1. ^ a b "Te Waka Toi Awards". www.creativenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Te Waka Toi". Ministry for Culture and Heritage | Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "14 Māori artists recognised in prestigious awards, Ngā Taonga Toi A Te Waka Toi". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Te Waka Toi Awards celebrate and recognise excellence and achievement in Māori art". Creative NZ. 17 November 2018 [2018]. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Thirteen Māori artists and leaders honoured at Te Waka Toi Awards". Māori Television. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
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