Overview - Maori Art and Culture
Traditional Maori art forms
Maori culture has been passed on from generation to generation through music, carvings, art, story-telling and reciting whakapapa (genealogies). The strength and beauty of Maori art is evident in architectural carving and interior designs of marae, and in ornate whakairo (carvings) in wood, bone, or pounamu (greenstone or jade) for pendants and other taonga (treasures). Carving and weaving skills arose from the practical requirements of traditional Maori lifestyle. Fibre for clothing, ropes and other uses was created by weaving flax and other natural fibres. Hard New Zealand pounamu (jade) was originally made into weapons and carving implements. Native wood was carved into spiritual objects that adorned wharenui (Maori meeting houses) and waka (canoes). The modern outlet for the creation of such traditional objects comes through artworks, many of which are highly sought in the art world.
Useful arty terms
Toi is a traditional word that refers to knowledge, origins and sources, and to art in general, while the term 'Toi Maori' is used to cover the wide range of creative activities in which Maori artists engage. Toi Maori refers to all the traditional arts such as whakairo (carving); kowhaiwhai (rafter patterns); raranga (weaving); tukutuku (lattice work); ta moko (tattooing); waiata (songs and chants); haka (dance); taonga puoro (traditional musical instruments); karanga (traditional call of welcome); whaikorero (oratory); and mau rakau (the art of weaponry). Toi Maori also refers to all the art forms contemporary Maori artists are exploring such as writing, stage production, contemporary dance, film, visual arts, clay work and sculpture.
Traditional Maori art forms
The Toi Maori Aotearoa (Maori Arts Network) was established to preserve, develop, promote and encourage participation in Maori arts. The network was established with the support of Creative New Zealand through Te Waka Toi. The charitable trust represents eight national art form committees. These are: Te Atinga (contemporary visual arts); Te Ope o Rehua (contemporary performing arts); He Awhi Tikanga (protocol within the arts); Te Hä (contemporary Maori writers); Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa (weavers); Puatatangi (Maori music); Nga Waka Federation (traditional canoe skills); Te Hunga Taunaki Kaituhi Mäori (writers in Te Reo).
Arts for all
The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia in Rotorua was established in 1963 by an Act of Parliament and remains owned by the Government. The institute was created against a backdrop of fear that the Maori culture and its unique arts and crafts were being lost. The institute not only displays Maori arts and crafts, it trains Maori in their customary arts and crafts.
Further information:
Maori Arts And Crafts Institute
Phone +64 7 348 9047
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