Toi - Māori Arts
Māori creative arts like weaving and carving celebrate the past and continue to evolve through fresh inspiration and new materials.
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Raranga – the art of weaving
Weaving flax Weaving flax
Weaving women
Weaving is traditionally done by women and skilled weavers are prized within their tribes. 'Aitia te wahine o te pā harakeke' is a Māori proverb that translates to mean 'Marry the woman who is always at the flax bush, for she is an expert flax worker and an industrious person'.
Cloaks of beauty
Highly-skilled Maori women painstakingly produce finely woven korowai (cloaks). Highly-skilled Maori women painstakingly produce finely woven korowai (cloaks).
The kahu kuri was the most prized of cloaks, incorporating strips of dog skin. The kuri (native Polynesian dog) came to New Zealand with the first Māori. Kahu kuri were only worn by rangatira (chiefs).
Whakairo – the art of carving
Waka at Waitangi Waka at Waitangi
A sign of prestige
Precious adornments were (and are still) worn as a sign of prestige; they included ear pendants, breast pendants and carved combs worn in the hair. These were made from pounamu (jade or greenstone), whale ivory and whale bone, although other materials, like albatross feathers and sharks teeth, were also incorporated. Pounamu from the South Island is highly prized for its beauty and strength, and is still used for making adornments today.
Symbols and patterns
Maori carvings are rich in symbolism and use common patterns, though styles differ between tribes. Symbols include the tiki, which represents the human figure, and the manaia, a creature with bird-like head and serpent-like body, associated with guardianship. Traditional patterns used in carving were often inspired by the natural environment, including spider webs (pungawerewere), fish scales (unaunahi) and the unfurling fronds of the fern (koru).
Take a look for yourself
Cultural centres and workshops
At Te Puia in Rotorua, you can watch Maori carvers at work. At Te Puia in Rotorua, you can watch Maori carvers at work.
Galleries and museums
Many art galleries throughout the country sell work by prominent Māori artists, and both traditional and modern Māori art is sought by collectors worldwide. For a look at historic Maori art pieces, visit museums like Te Papa and the Auckland Museum.
However you choose to experience the Māori arts, you're sure to be intrigued and inspired. You may even find a special taonga (treasure) to take home.