Ta moko ‘a taonga that knows how to survive’

WRITTEN ON THE SKIN: From left, Tracey Tangihaere, Toihoukura acting head of school and executive director, receives a moko from Sir Derek Lardelli while Lateesha Lerm looks on. Picture supplied

Tā Moko was celebrated at the Tū ā Rangi Moko Wānanga held at Toihoukura — EIT's Māori Visual Art and Design School in Tairāwhiti, during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.

Renowned artist and EIT Tairāwhiti professor Sir Derek Lardelli and members of Te Uhi a Mataora — a committee of Toi Māori Aotearoa — gathered to express their talent through the tradition of tā moko.

Sir Derek said the wānanga, which was not able to be held for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was an opportunity to discuss and share ideas about the moko movement, including where it has come from, the current state and future aspirations for the art form.

“As an art form it has survived the trauma of colonisation, two world wars and the pandemic. It is a taonga that knows how to survive,” Sir Derek said.

“Part and parcel of our role as moko artists is to make sure that whatever we do, we maintain our integrity and pride and look after that taonga, which has been bequeathed to us from our ancestors.

“We need to make sure that we leave it in a better place than where we found it.”

Tā moko is a means of expressing oneself and one's culture, so holding it during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori week was perfect, Sir Derek said.

Te reo plays a huge role in the tikanga surrounding the application of moko. Each day of the wānanga began with karakia, kōrero and waiata. Students, artists and manuhiri (visitors) were encouraged to use what reo they could.

One out of town visitor commented that she had not heard te reo flowing in casual conversation as it was at times during the wānanga. She said she felt privileged to be made to feel welcome, especially as a non-speaker of te reo herself.

The art form has grown exponentially over the last 20 years.

In the last five years there has been a huge revival in the moko art form across the country, often by moko artists who are Toihoukura graduates.

“There's an enormous amount of satisfaction and pride in here because Toihoukura has made it a place for the art form to flourish and grow its wings.”

Sir Derek said bringing such artists to the school gives the opportunity for the students to be part of that multi-faceted delivery.

“It allows for extension, not only for ourselves as moko artists, but for our students who are watching, listening and taking in this wonderful indigenous pride and making use of it for themselves and their whānau.”

The majority of artists present at the wānanga were graduates of Toihoukura.

Graduate Anthony (Fatty) Karauria said it was an honour and a privilege to return to Toihoukura.

“It is an honour to be able to come back and support the kaupapa, give back to the place that gave me my start as an artist, and tautoko the next generation of Māori artists.”

Toihoukura acting head of school and executive director Tracey Tangihaere said exposure to the toi Māori world is beneficial to students.

“The priority is on creativity and giving students those resources to be creative and seek inspiration from other areas out of the environment and out of people whom they can engage with while they're here.”

Ms Tangihaere was also on the receiving end, with her first moko completed by Sir Derek.

“Events like these spark interest for the students in a particular pathway,” she said.

Toi Māori tumu whakarae (chief executive) Tamahou Temara said it was an easy decision to support Sir Derek's vision and the kaupapa of the wānanga.

“The level of students that have come out of Toihoukura over the years has been phenomenal.”