Download the PDF (4.2MB) - Te Puni Kokiri

ToiBack in ActionThe Mäori art quality and authenticity brand Toi Iho is up andrunning again, following a glitch in 2010.People like Sir Apirana Ngata talked about a quality assurancetrademark or qualification in the 1930s; the New Zealand MäoriCouncil debated it again in the 1960s. But it wasn’t until 2002 thatCreative New Zealand was able to set it up.Toi Iho continued for the next seven years until public fundingpressure meant Creative New Zealand needed to divert funds toother areas of its work. Toi Iho went into abeyance.After a series of discussions, eventually the Transition ToiIho Foundation was formed and finally TIKI – Toi Iho KaitiakiIncorporated – transferring the Toi Iho trademark and all theintellectual property involved into Mäori control.A big challenge for TIKI and Toi Iho was last year’s Rugby World Cupwith Toi Iho associated artists seeking, and getting, the ability todisplay their works at RWC venues and also at Waka Mäori. It wasa major success.Professor Bob Jahnke from Massey University one of the seniorartists behind the new arrangements feels very relaxed about howthings are progressing.“The Trust is currently working through the re-registration of artistsand outlets that can use the Toi Iho trademark. We’re concentratingon those two categories, artists and outlets.”“There are about 50 or so artists seeking re-registration, and thereare other senior artists with proven track records of quality andauthenticity who have honorary status to use the Toi Iho mark,people like Sandy Adsett.”Ta Moko Mask - Totara - Matt Smiler.Two years on the trademark is back in action in Mäori hands.The Kura Galleries around the country are the sorts of places Toi Ihoartists display their work.Mäori Girl - Hand carved mdf -James Atutahi.Bone pendant - Kerry Thompson.T E P U N I K ö K I R I | K ö K I R I | H u i - t a n g u r u — P o u t ü - t e - r a n g i 2 0 1 245