27 Nov 2019
A sculptor, an orator, a carver, a musician and an actor will be among those who will be recognised and celebrated at the 2019 Te Waka Toi Awards for excellence and achievement in Māori art in Rotorua this week.
Since 1986 these prestigious national awards have recognised excellence and achievement across all artforms, including Māori heritage arts practice (e.g. tā moko, tarai waka, waiata, mōteatea, rāranga, whakairo, te reo, whaikōrero, karanga, tukutuku, kowhaiwhai, kapa haka waiata a ringa, waiata tawhito, poi, whakaeke, whakawaatea, waiata haka, mau rakau and taonga pūoro) as well as the work of Māori artists across all forms of contemporary arts practice (e.g. theatre, dance, literature, photography, visual arts).
“These awards are our opportunity to reflect and acknowledge the tremendous contribution that these artists have made in shaping our arts world. But importantly they provide the inspiration to those young artists who are yet to emerge by putting Ngā Toi in front of the world showing us all how the arts strengthens our communities, sense of place and identity. “ said Chair of Komiti Māori, Te Waka Toi Dean Whiting.
Fourteen artists, arts advocates and leaders will be recognised this year for their outstanding contributions to ngā toi Māori, Māori arts and culture. Awards will be presented across eight categories, including Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Exemplary/Supreme Award, in recognition of leadership, excellence and outstanding contribution to Māori arts, won last year by painter and print maker, Marilynn Webb (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rorora) Further categories include:
Te Tohu o Te Papa Tongarewa Rongomaraeroa – in recognition of excellence and outstanding contribution to Ngā Toi Māori (supported by Te Papa)
Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi lhaka – x 5 recipients in recognition of a lifetime contribution to Ngā Toi Māori and strengthening Māori culture (supported by Te Puni Kōkiri)
Te Tohu Aroha mō Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: "Whakarongo, Titiro, Kōrero" – in recognition of leadership and outstanding contribution to the promotion of Te Reo Rangatira (supported by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission)
Te Tohu Toi Kē a Te Waka Toi – in recognition of a significant positive impact on the development and practice of Ngā Toi Māori (supported by Te Māngai Paho)
Te Tohu Whakamanawa o Te Matatini – in recognition of outstanding contribution to Kapa Haka (Supported by Te Matatini Society Inc)
Ngā Manu Pīrere – in recognition of achievement by a young Māori artist at an early career stage.
Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust: Manaaki Taonga Award - recognising the work of a Māori artist who advances he taonga tuku iho. This acknowledges the impact of Te Māori exhibition on the development of Māori artists.
About the Te Waka Toi Awards
The only national awards for Nga Toi Māori, the Te Waka Toi Awards are hosted annually by the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa through Creative New Zealand. They are supported by Te Papa Tongarewa, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission), Te Matatini, Te Puni Kōkiri, and Te Māngai Paho and Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust.
2019 winners will be announced at the Te Waka Toi awards ceremony in Rotorua, Saturday 30 November 2019.
Recipient iwi include Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Rangi, Taranaki ki Te Atiawa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Paoa, Te Atiawa, Te Roroa, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Raukawa.
Past recipients: /results-of-our-work/award-winners/te-waka-toi-awards
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