15 Jun 2026
From the story of Tāne-nui-a-Rangi retrieving the kete wānanga to the moemoeā of artists, communities, and ringa toi today, Toi Ora reflects a vision for the future of Ngā Toi Māori, grounded in mātauranga, creativity, and connection.
What is toi?
It's a simple question, but one that doesn't always have a simple answer.
For Hāniko Te Kurapa, Manager Te Kaupapa at Creative New Zealand, understanding toi begins with understanding its whakapapa.
While interpretations of toi differ across iwi, hapū and communities, Hāniko reflects on the story of Tāne-nui-a-Rangi ascending through the heavens to retrieve the kete wānanga and bring mātauranga back to the world of people. It is a reminder that creativity, mātauranga and expression have always been part of who we are, and that we continue to uphold that mahi today.
"Toi is described as an expression of oneself, but it differs significantly from Western art because it incorporates wairua and specific cultural components. It is intentionally kept broad to allow for innovation and growth."
Across Aotearoa, there is no single definition of toi. Each iwi, hapū and community brings its own understanding, experiences and expressions. What remains constant is the connection between creativity, identity and culture.
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For Hāniko, that understanding is shaped by where he comes from. "When I grew up in Tūhoe, we had the ngahere. The ngahere for us was our pātaka kai. It was our classroom. It was our gallery. It was where we went to whakawhanaungatanga.”
For others, those influences may come from different places, environments and experiences.
"I can see why, sometimes, when Tūhoe speakers are talking, it almost sounds like bird calls, because that's what we hear in the ngahere. We hear the birds. We hear the insects."
The many people behind toi
"What makes an artwork? Is it the work made by the person creating it? We must remember there's also a whole workforce attached to it. There are a lot of us, of te ao Māori, who actively go into ngā toi." says Haniko.
Behind every creative work are the people who support, organise, advocate, produce, govern and create opportunities for others to thrive.
Those same voices and perspectives sit at the heart of Toi Ora, Creative New Zealand's strategy for Ngā Toi Māori.
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Listening to the voices of ringatoi Māori
According to Paula Carr, Manager Māori Strategy and Partnerships at Creative New Zealand, Toi Ora is grounded in the moemoeā of Māori artists, communities and collectives from across the motu.
"Toi Ora is really important because it has the voices of Ngā Toi Māori represented in it."
In 2017, Creative New Zealand travelled around the country, meeting with communities, ringatoi and arts collectives to better understand their experiences, moemoeā and challenges.
"We listened to what was working, what wasn't working, where the gaps were, and where support was needed to grow Ngā Toi Māori and strengthen communities."
Those conversations helped shape Creative New Zealand's first national Māori strategy Te Hā o ngā toi Māori.
In 2023, Creative New Zealand convened a national hui for ringa toi, tohunga, mātanga toi, and advocates to discuss priorities for Ngā Toi Māori into the future.
Over the 3-day wānanga, those groups identified priorities and calls to action that now help shape the next chapter of Toi Ora.
"This strategy didn’t just appear, it’s been years of listening and shaping. There is work for us to do to turn those calls to action into investment, advocacy, partnerships and opportunities over the next five years."
A shared vision for the future
For Paula, the ambition of Toi Ora extends beyond Creative New Zealand itself.
The strategy sets out a shared moemoeā in which ngā toi Māori and ringa toi are visible everywhere, highly valued as part of our unique identity, and admired globally.
"There is a real opportunity for communities, collectives, local government, regions and national organisations to work together."
"The ambition is big, and Creative New Zealand cannot achieve it on its own. “We are keen to partner with people and organisations who want to work alongside us."
At its heart, Toi Ora is about supporting Māori aspirations, strengthening Māori leadership and creating more opportunities for Māori to make decisions for Māori.
"What I hope Toi Ora creates is more opportunities for Māori to make their own decisions. We want to support Māori mana motuhake. We want more Māori curators. More Māori producers. More Māori arts administrators. More Māori governors and so on."