Te Waka Toi awards

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]

  • Cliff Whiting
    Cliff Whiting
  • Iritana Tawhiwhirangi
    Iritana Tawhiwhirangi
  • Witi Ihimaera
    Witi Ihimaera
  • Rawiri Paratene in Hōhepa, 2012
    Rawiri Paratene in Hōhepa, 2012
  • Robin White
    Robin White
  • Kiri Te Kanawa
    Kiri Te Kanawa

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

  • Derek Lardelli ONZM investiture
    Derek Lardelli ONZM investiture
  • Lisa Reihana
    Lisa Reihana
  • Briar Grace-Smith
    Briar Grace-Smith

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

  • 2023 Brianne Te Paa Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Te Whānau-a-Apanui
  • 2023 Bridy Lundon Ngāpuhi, Waikato-Tainui
  • 2023 Tuakoi Ohia Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Hine, Te Ati Awa, Tainui, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pākehā
  • 2022 Ngamoko Rota Waikato, Ngaati Mahuta
  • 2022 Ming Ranginui Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi
  • 2022 p.A Ngāti Kuri
  • 2021 Maia Keane, Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata
  • 2021 Te Haana Paewai, Rangitāne, Ngāruahine
  • 2021 Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana, Ngāti Hikairo, Tainui, Tūhoe, Ngāti Whakaue
  • 2020 Ngā Hine Pūkōrero – Arihia Hall, Te Arawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Tukorehe
  • 2020 Ngā Hine Pūkōrero – Terina Wichman-Evans, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Te Aupouri
  • 2020 Ngā Hine Pūkōrero – Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani
  • 2020 Ngā Hine Pūkōrero – Matariki Bennett, Te Arawa
  • 2020 Ashleigh Taupaki,  Ngāti Hako
  • 2020 Amy Rameka, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto
  • 2019 Ashley (Hine) Waitai-Dye – Ngāti Kuri
  • 2019 Cian Gardner – Ngāpuhi
  • 2018 Nerys Catrin Ngaruhe,Ngāti Kahungunu
  • 2018 Isaac James Te Reina, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngati Kapumanawawhiti
  • 2017 Chevron Te-Whetumatarau Hassett, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine
  • 2017 Turene Huiarau Jones, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Whakaue
  • 2016 Te Kanawa Ngarotata, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto
  • 2016 Cori Masters, Te Arawa, Ngati Whakaue, Te Whakatō
  • 2015 Mapihi Maureen Te Rerehau Kelland. Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu
  • 2015 Hana-lee Kereru-Wainohu. Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine
  • 2014 Te Utanga-ki-Whangaparaoa Tautuhi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai-te-rangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou
  • 2014 Chloe Rose Cull, Kāi Tahu
  • 2013 Damen Joe, Waikato/Tainui
  • 2013 Deane-Rose Marie Ngatai, Ngāti Porou

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 Aroha Paenga, Investiture 2016
    Te Aroha Paenga, Investiture 2016

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

  • Rodney Bell Ngāti Maniapoto (2020)
  • Cara Waretini Ngāti Rangi, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Pākehā (2021)
  • Anaru Ruka Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa (2022)

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

  • Lewis Gardiner, Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Whanau a Apanui, Ngāi Tahu (2019)

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.