Tangaroa a te toi, Tangaroa a te meha

Tangaroa a te toi (calm seas), Tangaroa a te meha (rough seas). This painting serves as a metaphor of resilience – symbolising the strength of mana whenua, in the continued struggles challenging western systems and legislation to maintain, retain, fight for mana motuhake, rangatiratanga, kaitiakitanga. Tangaroa a te toi – through the calm seas, Tangaroa a te meha, through the rough seas – we are still here.

Hiwirori Maynard trained in the 1990’s at Toihoukura under the guidance of Dr Sandy Adsett, Sir Derek Lardelli and Steve Gibbs. In 2004, Hiwi went on to graduate with a Maunga Kura Toi – Bachelor of Māori arts at Toimairangi, Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

“Inspiration for my art comes from my involvement with both the Māori performing & Visual Arts. I have always had a passion for kapa haka and have been a member of the Waihīrere Māori Cultural Group for over 20 years. My whānau and those close to me within the arts have played a major role in the development of my work and without their influences I wouldn’t be doing what I love.”