Create
Iconic Maori artworks / Public art / Development projects / National icons
Consult
Advise / Strategy / Incorporate cultural intelligence and experiences
Care
Maintenance / Protection / Existing Maori artworks and other national iconic art pieces
Experience
Cultural Treasures / Deep Connections / Transcultural Learning / Cultural Wellbeing
Create
Our multidisciplinary team, led by our Tohunga, can work with you to create sculptures of all designs, sizes, and media (including wood, stone, pounamu, metal, glass, ceramic, crystal), bringing your vision and values to life. We can create a range of works including whakairo / traditional carving of marae and meeting houses. We also design, create, and carve waka / canoes, providing you with opportunities to engage your communities in navigation and voyaging. Whaotapu are also specialists in creative arts that include kowhaiwhai, drawing and painting; raranga / weaving; ta moko / tattoo; and storytelling across diverse environments. We also work closely with digital designers and technologists to bring your vision to life.
Consult
Whaotapu have intergenerational knowledge and cultural intelligence that they bring to the table as they work with you to achieve your vision. Many of the Tohunga have worked for decades with government (local and national), businesses, and non-government / community organisations across a range of sectors and settings, including tourism, transport, landscapes and cityscapes, natural and built environments, hospitality, justice, education, and health. Our work processes ensure that we bring respectful learning elements to our conversations, wherein we share cultural knowledge and skills, while learning from you about your people, your values, wishes, and communities.
Care
Each and every Taonga Toi has wairua, tapu, mana; each has mauri, a life-force that needs to be nurtured, cared for and protected. We can work with you to ensure that your creative works are looked after in the best way possible. We can collaborate with you to implement our TOI ORA System for the Care and Protection of Taonga Toi whose objectives include Mauri (integrity and provenance of the taonga / art works); Kotahi (collaborative engagement with creative communities); Arotake (comprehensive evaluation of the condition of each creative work); Whakapai (conservation through mindful maintenance); and Tupu (generating opportunities for creators and communities to participate in the care and protection of Taonga Toi).
Experience
We understand that Taonga Toi / artistic creations and treasures are symbols of our culture, spirit and identity; they are expressions of Te Ao Māori; and reflections of your values, and our collective heritage. We will work with you to co-create Taonga Toi / designs and artworks that can teach and heal through expressions of ancient knowledge, traditional stories and contemporary understandings. Taonga Toi provide unique positive emotional experiences for each mokopuna, tamariki, wāhine, tāne, koro, kuia, whānau, the communities of Auckland and Aotearoa, that nurture a strong sense of belonging. Taonga can bring pride and joy to mana whenua, Māori, our communities, and our millions of visitors from near and far.
