As a proud New Zealander it is important to respect and care for the land, its people and history. With the national people of our land being the Māori, the native people of our beautiful New Zealand, it is important to show and take inspiration from their art. Māori art is deeply intertwined with cultural beliefs, serving both practical and spiritual purposes.
Their art is crafted from natural materials like wood, stone, bone, and flax; these works often reflected communal values and were shaped by the material itself.
Expert practitioners, or tohunga, were highly respected, and their creations held special significance. However, The Colonisation from Britain unfortunately disrupted these traditions, shifting the role of art toward political expression and cultural resistance. From the 1960s onward, Māori artists began blending traditional motifs with Western techniques, creating hybrid artworks that explored identity, heritage, and social issues.
Some Māori Artist that you should check out:
Robyn Kahukiwa (14 September 1938 – 11 April 2025) was a New Zealand artist, children's book author and illustrator. She created a significant collection of paintings, books, prints, drawings, and sculptures, Check out her work:
https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artist/1268/robyn-kahukiwa
Brett Graham (born 1967) is a New Zealand sculptor who creates large scale artworks and installations that explore histories of imperialism and global indigenous issues.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kereamankk2
Website http://www.brettgraham.co.nz/
Ngataiharuru Taepa (born 1976) is a New Zealand artist and academic.[1] Taepa's art often explores traditional Māori kōwhaiwhai (rafter painting) forms.
Check out their work:
https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artist/8645/ngatai-taepa
Maungarongo (Ron) Te Kawa of Ngāti Porou has been working prolifically in fashion, art, community development and education across Aotearoa New Zealand for decades. Using sewing as a conduit to connect with people, his legendary workshops have given countless participants the confidence to create and express with fabric.
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