Ngā ara mahi-a-toi: creative art pathways

Mahi-a-toi

He Whakamārama

Mahi-ā-toi are the creative and performing arts that are deeply connected to every aspect of Māori culture. Some examples of mahi-ā-toi are kapa haka, raranga harakeke (flax weaving), whakairo (carving), tukutuku (weaving), taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments), and pūrākau (traditional stories).

Our knowledge and skills were passed down the generations through these art forms to keep us entertained, as a way of remembering traditions, and as lessons for the future generations. Arts are part of our everyday life. While toi refers to Māori arts there are many modern day uses in design, media, and popular culture. https://www.kiwadigital.com/services/

Whakataukī

Hei pupuri te aho o te wānanga
Hei kawe i ngā kura huna a Rua

To hold fast to the strands of valued learning. To perpetuate the hidden schools of Rua.

The schools of Rua refer to types of knowledge. This whakataukī reinforces the importance of learning and the traditional knowledge infused within Māori creative arts.

Ngā hua - Benefits

Ngā toi Māori are important practical and visual markers of identity for Māori individually and as whānau, hapū, and iwi.
Art forms like raranga and whakairo provide access to pūrākau and tikanga – development of practical skills and access to career opportunities – and helps us maintain iwi identity.
Kapa haka facilitates connections to family, friends and hapū. There’s also connection to whakapapa kōrero through waiata and haka, and both the physical activity and music associated with kapa haka enhances physical, emotional, and spiritual expression, connection, and wellbeing.
A range of toi Māori are also important for cognitive development including visuospatial skills (seeing and recognising) in pattern development, design.
A range of toi Māori are also important in fine and gross motor skills as we apply designs in creating art forms.

Ngā Ara - Pathways

Make or learn about traditional Māori instruments.
Making a Purerehua
Making a clay koauau
Learn what the different designs are in whakairo and visit local whakairo and see if you can identify them. Here’s a Facebook page that has videos where you can learn different patterns and even try carving them into soap or a potato.
Ask a kaumātua on the marae what the stories are behind the whakairo.
Learn a waiata. Here is Whakataka Te Hau with kupu (words) that can be used as an opening karakia and also a waiata.
Here is Wairua Tapu with kupu and a sign language guide.
Learn a haka.
Learn raranga harakeke.
Make a putiputi.
Enrol in a course on whakairo, Māori art, kapa haka or raranga at a local tertiary provider, community centre, or marae.
Make poi.
Learn about tukutuku panels and draw tukutuku designs
Make a manu tukutuku.