KO WAI TĀTOU?
Toi Ngāpuhi is an advocacy and support agency working across Te Taitokerau with cultural and creative networks for the purposes of:
revitalising distinctive and unique cultural identity
protecting Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu culture, cultural heritage and cultural expressions
improving hapū wellbeing and cultural esteem through cultural expression
establishing benchmarks of cultural integrity and authenticity, and,
fostering talent and opportunity.
Established in late 2019, the focus in Year 1 has been on exploring the role of Toi Ngāpuhi by building relationships and support networks to enable the vision Inspiring excellence in Ngāpuhi cultural and creative expression across Te Taitokerau to flourish.
One of the next exciting developments for Toi Ngāpuhi is the creation of this online gallery that will feature, promote and sell the work of emerging and established Ngāpuhi artists and practitioners.
For further information on our organisation, other programmes and services, please go to our website: toingapuhi.co.nz
Bernard Makoare
CARVER
FEATURED ARTIST
I live with my wife Hinerangi and our children in Te Taitokerau, Northland. We are heavily involved as a contemporary Māori whānau, with our ancestral obligations to all of our marae across the region.
Traditionally taught as a wood carver with the privilege of tuition from Hemi Edwards (Mei) and Pakaariki Harrison. I am a practising artist/designer. My work is a reflection of my heritage, my environments and the importance I place in whanaungatanga or relationships between people, heritage, places and significant objects.
I am privileged to have been one of three Ngāti Whatua representatives to the Auckland Museum Taumata-a-iwi for nearly 20 years. Also during this period I have been an active member of the Haerewa committee advising the Auckland Art Gallery, Te Toi o Tāmaki. These experiences have afforded me the opportunities to be active in projects throughout the country involving ancestral artefacts and the reconnection with the communities from which they originated.
Throughout my creative career I have developed a close friendship with John Ringer of Paradigm & Associates. I have had great collaborative experiences with the design team FJMT and Archimedia with Lindsay Mackie for the Auckland Art Gallery and also as the leader of the Māori design team TUWAO for the Auckland Zoo Te Waonui project; SHED 10 on the Queens wharf; the Glen Innes Music and Arts centre “Te Oro” again with Lindsay Mackie and Archimedia+; and the Hobsonville point development with Isthmus.
I was part of a team of invited consultants for the development of a comprehensive Arts strategy for Ngāpuhi and design consultant with Cliff Whiting for the cultural design dimensions of the “He Tohu” exhibition at the National Library.
As a carver I am very conscious of the respect that is required for natural resources, in particular, the sustainable care, collection and competent use of such precious materials. I am a creative who takes seriously the obligations to aspire to excellence in my practice and to strive to achieve the extraordinary in the works that I produce.
Honouring the privilege of the experiences of tuition I have been invited into, and uplifting the prestige of traditional resources described by ancestral pūrākau and tatai emanating from Hawaiki are responsibilities I take very seriously whilst enjoying the satisfying indulgence of immersing myself in my own authentic creative expressions of who I am and who I want to be.
Bernard Makoare
EXHIBITION PIECES
FEATURED (FOR SALE)
Hei Poho are a traditional pendant worn around the neck and intended to sit upon the poho or chest.
SIZE: 75mm x 38mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
Rei Puta were traditional symbols of leadership and status made from sperm whale or paraoa teeth.
SIZE: 90mm x 40mm x 15mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
This Rei Puta is in the form of an ancient Polynesian form and is made from cow bone and decorated in a version of the unaunahi patterns.
SIZE: 115mm x 30mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
This Rei Puta is in the form of an ancient Polynesian form and is made from cow bone and decorated in a version of the waewae tupuna patterns.
SIZE: 95mm x 20mm x 7mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
This Rei Puta is in the form of an ancient Polynesian form and is made from cow bone and decorated in a version of the waewae tupuna patterns.
SIZE: 100mm x 25mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
Imitation shark tooth earring made from whale bone. Shark teeth were prized adornments and often decorated with red sealing wax once contact with Pākeha was made.
SIZE: 30mm x 35mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Shark teeth were prized adornments and often decorated with red sealing wax once contact with Pakeha was made.
SIZE: 30mm x 30mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Rei Puta were traditional symbols of leadership and status made from sperm whale or paraoa teeth.
SIZE: 85mm x 35mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
This Rei Puta is an ancient Polynesian form and is made from cow bone and decorated in unaunahi and waewae tūpuna.
SIZE: 110mm x 35mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
This Rei Puta is a combination of two individual rei puta forms worn as one pendant.
SIZE: 80mm x 35mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
Imitation shark tooth earring made from boar tusk. Shark teeth were prized adornments and often decorated with red sealing wax once contact with Pākeha was made.
SIZE: 30mm x 35mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Boar Tusk
Pine (#1). Brooch pin. This pine is made from cow bone and is decorated with Takarangi, a pattern which depicts the significance of light as the negative and positive spaces allow light to show through.
SIZE: 35mm x 45mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Cow Bone
EXHIBITION PIECES
FEATURED (NOT FOR SALE)
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whatua brand tohu carved from whale bone harvested from a paraoa sperm whale which beached at Te One Rangatira, west coast Kaipara in the early 2000’s.
SIZE: 50mm x 155mm x 5mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Wahaika is a short single handed weapon which was often named with significant names and carried by prominent leaders.
SIZE: 365mm x 115mm x 20mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Hei Tiki are well known as high status adornments and worn by high status people especially at large tribal gatherings.
SIZE: 100mm x 70mm x 15mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Hei Poho or breast adornments were made to be worn by men or women. Precious stone, wood, shell and whale bone were traditionally used to make these adornments.
SIZE: 125mm x 100mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Pekapeka is the name given to the native bat and also for this style of pendant. Pekapeka were traditionally made from precious stone, shell and whale bone, especially paraoa or sperm whale bone.
SIZE: 95mm x 45mm x 10mm
MATERIAL: Whale Bone
Creative New Zealand (CNZ) encourages, promotes and supports the arts in New Zealand for the benefit of all New Zealanders through funding, capability building and international programmes and advocacy.
In 2019, CNZ formed a partnership with the newly formed Toi Ngāpuhi.
CNZ sees this partnership as a key way of supporting regional development in the arts with a focus on ngā toi Māori that is aligned to the vision of CNZ’s strategy for Māori arts.
The outcome of this support will be seeing artists deliver new activities into the community.
Te Hā o Ngā Toi Māori is underpinned by a mātauranga Māori framework which incorporates knowledge – knowledge creativity, knowledge transfer and knowledge reclamation.
The strategy’s vision is for Māori arts to be visible everywhere and highly valued as part of New Zealand’s distinct identity, and admired globally.