Te Waka Toi awards toast stars and rising talent

Award recipients (from left) Colin Hovel (representing the late Rev John Hovell), Professor Derek Lardelli, Dr Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere, Danny Poihipi, Elizabeth Ellis, Sandy Adsett, Chloe Cull, Te Warihi Hetaraka, Te Utanga-ki-Whangaparaoa Tautuhi. Photo / Supplied

Tohunga, artists and community leaders have been honoured for their contributions to preserving and promoting the future of high-quality Maori arts.

The Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Awards, in Rotorua on Saturday night, celebrated the lives and successes of nga toi Maori (Maori arts) practitioners and advocates, and serve as a springboard for emerging artists.

Established in 1986, the annual awards are the only national Maori arts awards that celebrate all artforms, with awards that recognise leadership, outstanding contribution, excellence and potential in nga toi Maori.

Supreme award

Renowned visual artist Sandy Adsett, MNZM, MMVA (Ngati Pahauwera, Ngati Kahungunu) received the supreme award for exemplary contribution to nga toi Maori, Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Mr Adsett is a painter with experience in carving, weaving, costume and stage design. His impressive influence and artwork can be seen in many community buildings from meeting houses to churches, art museums, government and corporate venues as well as private collections.

Making a difference to Maori arts

Te Tohu Toi Ke was awarded to the multi-talented Professor Derek Lardelli, ONZM (Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou) for making a positive difference to nga toi Maori. Professor Lardelli is a ta moko artist, painter, carver, kapa haka performer, composer, graphic designer, researcher of whakapapa and oral histories, and kaikorero.

Strengthening the Maori language

Dr Apirana Tuahae Kaukapakapa Mahuika (Ngati Porou) was awarded Te Tohu Aroha mo Ngoingoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi.

Dr Mahuika's passion for the promotion and protection of Ngati Porou Taonga and Te Reo ake o Ngati Porou is unrelenting.

Among numerous other contributions and achievements, he was one of the founding lecturers in Te Reo Maori at Victoria University (along with his whanaunga Dr Te Kapunga Dewes) as well as being the founding lecturer in Te Reo Maori at Massey University.

Lifetimes of service to Maori arts

Kaumatua and kuia who have devoted their lives to strengthening Maori culture through their support of Maori arts were honoured with Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka. They were:

-Reverend Rollo John Richard Hovell, MA, JP, 1937-2014 (Ngati Porou).
-Elizabeth Aroha Ellis, CNZM, JP (Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou).
-Te Warihi Hetaraka (Ngati Wai, Nga Puhi, Tainui).
-Dr Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere (Ngati Kahungunu, Tuhoe).
-Danny (Raniera) Craven Poihipi (Whanau-a-Apanui).

Emerging artists - Ng Manu Pirere

-Chloe Cull (Kai Tahu) and Te Utanga-ki-Whangaparaoa Tautuhi (Ngati Ranginui, Ngai-te-rangi, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Porou).