Tautari, who was based at NZMACI's tā moko studio, said the process to create the tyre design was almost "intuitive", in the same way he created tā moko designs for people from around the world.
Using the shape and form available – in this case the curved arch of the tyre - Tautari said the design came instinctively when he began drawing, representing the curving nature of the trails, the hills of Mt Ngongotaha and "ripping up of the trails" when mountain biking.
The whakarare pattern (shown in the sweeping curved pattern on the tyres) signified the distortion of a straight line – similar to the curving nature of the trails – while the niho paid tribute to the "snarling thread of the tyre".
On the mudguard, the pūhoro design represented movement and speed.
While used to leaving a permanent mark of Māori culture on people from around the world through tā moko, Tautari said designing the tyre was another way of sharing his culture on the world stage.
"Tā moko is about telling an individual's unique story. When we carry out tā moko, the design flows after conversations between the artist and recipient.
"We never know what the design will look like, it is almost intuitive, and it was the same approach when designing the tyre."
Te Puia general manager sales and marketing, Kiri Atkinson-Crean said the tyre collaboration was yet another way NZMACI is continuing its Government mandate to preserve, promote and perpetuate Māori arts and crafts.
"It provides us with another important opportunity to share our culture with the world and it is really exciting to think these tyres will be seen on trails around New Zealand – and the globe."
Te Puia | NZMACI has had a long association with Crankworx Rotorua. In past years, it had donated a 3.5m tomokanga (carving) as a focal point for the Crankworx downhill event, while another year saw Tohunga Whakairo (master carver) Clive Fugill design a special FOX racing helmet.
Maxxis Tyres product and marketing manager Bevan Burgess said the Taiaha tyre was a fantastic way to share New Zealand's unique culture and traditions with mountain bikers around the world.
"From the time we released our first tyre, top Kiwi riders have been taking on the world's best using Maxxis as their weapon of choice. The fit with the taiaha tyre, drawing on the authenticity of the NZMACI brand, is a natural one."
The limited edition Maxxis Taiaha tyres will only be available at Crankworx Rotorua 2019.
- Supplied copy
