Te Waka Toi awards explained

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).

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]

2023 Rangimoana Taylor - Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui
2022 Robin White - Ngāti Awa
2021 Rawiri Paratene - Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa
2020 Robyn Kahukiwa - Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti
2019 Rex Homan - Te Rarawa, Ngāti Pāoa, Te Atiawa
2018 Marilynn Webb - Ngāti Kahu, Te Roroa^[4]
2017 Fred Graham - Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Tainui
2016 Patricia Grace - Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa
2015 Matekino Lawless - Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whawhakia
2014 Sandy Adsett - Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu
2013 Darcy Nicholas - Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Ruanui, Tauranga Moana
2012 Tīmoti Kāretu - Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe
2011 Sidney Moko Mead - Ngāti Awa
2010 Kiri Te Kanawa - Ngāti Porou
2009 Witi Ihimaera - Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki Whānau a Kai
2008 Iritana Tawhiwhirangi - Ngāti Porou
2007 Howard Morrison - Te Arawa
2006 Diggeress Te Kanawa - Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Kinohaku
2005 Don Selwyn - Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupōuri
2004 Te Ataairangikaahu - Tainui
2003 Cliff Whiting - Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
2002 Hirini Melbourne - Ngāi Tūhoe
2001 Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira - Ngāti Porou
2000 Rawinia Te Kani - Ngāti Porou
2000 Tokorua Te Kani - Ngāti Porou
1998 Jack Wihongi - Ngāpuhi
1997 Hinemoa Harrison - Ngāti Porou
1997 Pakariki Harrison - Ngāti Porou
1996 Hekenukumai Busby - Ngāpuhi
1995 Huirangi Waikerepuru - Ngāti Ruanui
1994 Rangimarie Hetet - Ngāti Maniapoto
1993 Nathanial Lees - Sāmoa
1992 Jim Moriarty - Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata
1991 Hone Tuwhare - Ngāpuhi
1990 Selwyn Muru - Ngāti Kurī
1989 Momoe Malietoa Von Reich - Sāmoa
1988 Ngapo Wehi - Whakatōhea
1987 Irirangi Tiakiawa - Te Arawa
1986 Te Aue Davis - Ngāti Maniapoto

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'. Laureates since 2019:

2023 Te Raina Ferris Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Italy
2023 Horiana Tootell Ngāti Waewae, Ngāi Tahu
2022 Muriwai Ihakara Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa
2022 Christina Wirihana Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whawhakia, Te Arawa, Ngāti Rangiunora
2021 Gillian Whitehead Ngāi Te Rangi
2021 Haare Williams Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Tūhoe
2020 Whatarangi Winiata Ngāti Raukawa
2020 Gabrielle Rikihana Ngāti Raukawa
2019 John Klaricich Ngāpuhi
2019 Allen Wihongi Ngāpuhi
2019 Sonia Snowden Ngāpuhi
2019 Rim D. Paul Te Arawa
2019 Maureen Lander Ngāpuhi

Te Tohu Toi Kē a Te Waka Toi | Making a Difference

2023 Amber Curreen, Ngāpuhi
2023 Estella Hineratia Tawha-Davis Ngaati Maahanga, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Maiotaki, Ngaati Toarangatira
2023 Graham Tipene Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu
2022 Veranoa Hetet, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto
2022 Ross Hemara, Ngai Tahu
2022 Gabrielle Belz, Ngāpuhi, Te Atiawa
2021 Kereti Rautangata, Tainui, Te Arawa
2021 John Miller, Ngaitewake-ki-uta, Uritaniwha, Ngāti Rēhia (hapū of Ngāpuhi)
2021 Dolina Wehipeihana, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tukorehe
2020 Baye Riddell, Ngāti Porou
2020 Tanea Heke, Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu
2020 Tama Waipara, Ruapani, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou
2019 Nancy Brunning, Ngāti Raukawa/Tūhoe
2018 Lyonel Grant, Ngāti Te Takinga, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa
2017 Briar Grace-Smith, Ngāpuhi
2015 Lisa Reihana, MDes, BFA, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngai Tu
2016 Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Tainui
2014 Professor Derek Lardelli, ONZM. Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou

Te Tohu aroha mō Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: “Whakarongo, Titiro, Kōrero” | Award for strengthening Te Reo Rangatira

2023 Mr G, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Awa
2022 Rob Ruha, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Tūhourangi
2021 Dame Hinewehi Mohi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe
2020 Pere Wihongi, Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu
2019 Derek Lardelli, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Konohi (Ngai Te Riwai), Ngāti Kaipoho (Ngai Te Aweawe)
2018 Kuini Moehau Reedy, MNZM. Ngāti Porou
2017 Pembroke Peraniko Bird, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Tahu
2016 Mana Elizabeth (Liz) Hunkin, Ngāti Kahungunu
2015 Rahera Wiremu Shortland, Ngāpuhi
2014 Dr Apirana Tuahae Kaukapakapa Mahuika, Ngāti Porou
2013 Dr Patu Hohepa, Ngāpuhi, Te Ātiawa
2012 Professor Pou Tēmara, Ngāi Tūhoe

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 -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.

2023 Putiputi Mackey Ngāti Porou ki Pōneke (posthumously awarded)
2022 Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Tainui
2022 Jack Thatcher, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti
2022 Stanley Conrad, Te Aupouri
2021 Hokimoana Te Rika-Hererangi, Tūhoe
2020 Bob Jahnke, Ngāti Porou
2019 Kura Te Waru Rewiri, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Rangi
2018 Sandy Adsett MNZM, MMVA, Pahauwera/Ngāti Kahungunu (2018)
2017 Dr Cliff Whiting, ONZ, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui

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]

2023 Ngamoni Huata Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Whare, Ngāi Tuhoe, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa
2022 Te Taepa Kameta Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangiunuora, Te Arawa, Te Whakatōhea, Taranaki
2022 Te Aroha Paenga Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tainui
2021 Tangiwai Ria Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki
2021 Trevor Maxwell Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa
2020 Tihi Puanaki, Ngāti Hine (2020)
2019 Wetini Mitai-Ngatai – Te Arawa, Te Whakatohea
2018 Kuini Moehau Reedy, MNZM. Ngāti Porou
2018 Tā Pita Sharples KNZM, CBE, Ngāti Kahungunu
2017 Louise Kingi, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki

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

Kara Puketapu, Te Atiawa (2019)

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)

Notes and References

Web site: Te Waka Toi Awards. www.creativenz.govt.nz. en. 2020-12-31.
Web site: Te Waka Toi. 2020-10-24. Ministry for Culture and Heritage Manatū Taonga. en-NZ.
Web site: 14 Māori artists recognised in prestigious awards, Ngā Taonga Toi A Te Waka Toi . 2022-04-13 . Creative New Zealand . en.
News: Te Waka Toi Awards celebrate and recognise excellence and achievement in Māori art. 2018-11-17. 2019-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20190126023608/http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/news/te-waka-toi-awards-celebrate-and-recognise-excellence-and-achievement-in-maori-art. 2019-01-26. Creative NZ. 2018.
Web site: 2020-12-01 . Thirteen Māori artists and leaders honoured at Te Waka Toi Awards . 2023-05-30 . Māori Television . en.