Kōwhaiwhai is the Māori painting tradition adorning the paddles of early voyaging waka (canoes) and the rafters of wharenui (meeting houses). Consisting of the design motif known as the koru – the young unfurling shoot of the fern plant – kōwhaiwhai has developed into a sophisticated visual language unique to Māori culture and to Aotearoa New Zealand. Coded and abstracted forms referencing the natural world are represented in patterns that convey tribal narratives, cultural truths and enduring practices reflecting a Māori worldview.
Contemporary Māori artists have revitalised this customary artform through interpretation and innovation. They cleverly extend upon the language of kōwhaiwhai to convey a sense of rhythm and flow. This artform has inspired both Māori and non-Māori artists and has stimulated debate over collective identity and ownership.
He tikanga tawhito te kōwhaiwhai i takea mai ai i ngā rākeitanga o ngā hoe o ngā waka o mua, o ngā heke o ngā wharenui hoki. Kei te pūtake o te hoahoa ko te koru – te tētēkura o te aruhe – kua panoni te kōwhaiwhai kia tū ai hei reo ataata punenga e whakamahi ai i te wāhi tōrunga, i te wāhi tōraro me ngā tikanga o te tauira auau, hangarite me te whakaata kia hīanga te hanga i te reo ataata e ahurei ai ki te ahurea Māori o Aotearoa. Kei konei e whakaaturia ai ngā auaha kua whakawaeheretia, kua whakatūrehurehutia e tohotoro ai i te ao tūroa, ki roto i ngā tauira e kawe nei i ngā kōrero ā-iwi, i ngā tikanga ahurea, i ngā mahi toitū e whakaata ai i te tirohanga Māori.
Nā te whakamāramatanga hou me te whakahoutanga tonu o ngā ringa toi Māori o nāianei, kua whakarauorahia ai tēnei momo toi tawhito. Nā te atamai o ēnei ringa toi kua whātorohia te reo o te kōwhaiwhai ki te kawe i te whakataki me te teretere. Kua hihiko te ringa toi Māori, te ringa toi ehara i te Māori hoki, ā, koia te kaupapa o ngā kōrerorero e pā ana ki te tuakiri me te mana o te tini. Ko te peita kōwhaiwhai he toi ātaahua, he toi whakapōrauraha e tuku ai te tangata ki te whai i te kōrerorero ataata mutunga kore.
