Skip Content
Tiffany Makoare: Kaiako - Toi Māori

Tiffany Makoare was once a student at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa but now teaches her own class in the King Country town of Taumarunui.

The 33-year-old mother graduated with a Diploma in Māori and Indigenous Art in 2020 and in 2021 took on the role as a kaiako, teaching Toi Maruata – Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Art Level 3.

“When I studied I didn’t once think I would land this job. It’s created opportunities and having this skillset can play a big part in te ao Māori,” says Tiffany.

Tiffany’s teaching is focussed on the visual art of painting but her lessons go deeper than just teaching the skills and techniques of the art form.

The aim for Tiffany throughout 2021 was to get her tauira (students) to widen their perspective when it came to art and get them to understand that it isn’t all about the final product.

“They started to notice art around their community. They could identify the names of certain designs and patterns and they could see the creative process behind the art.”

Many of Tiffany’s tauira had doubts about their creative ability with many saying they couldn’t even draw.

But Tiffany was more than willing to keep working with them and draw out the creative potential she could see in each of her tauira.

“We had an art exhibition in semester A for Matariki and their mahi (work) just blew me away. Then people wanted to buy their art and they weren’t even from town,” says Tiffany whos only intention was to share the art with their local community.

This year Tiffany will be teaching a Level 4 Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Art at TWoA’s Taumarunui campus and encourages those who are interested to give it a go and see where it will take them.

“It’s not about the art itself, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about finding your technique and your flow.”

For more information about our Toi Māori arts programmes


 Back to news & events

Published On: 03 February 2022

Article By: Cassia Ngaruhe



Other Articles

  • 15 October 2025

    Building a beauty brand through education and drive

    At just 21, Maata Morrell-Dzilic is building a thriving beauty brand with the support of business education from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how her passion, determination, and study in small business and project management are fuelling her entrepreneurial success.

  • 08 October 2025

    From paddling to politics: a journey for reo, rights and representation

    Bevan O’Connor’s journey from waka ama to the political stage is powered by his passion for te reo Māori and Māori rights. Discover how his studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and deep connection to te ao Māori are shaping his campaign for the Takitimu Māori Ward.

  • 23 September 2025

    HRC Maternal Health Inequity Report

    New research led by Dr Sarah Lockwood highlights critical gaps in maternity care during Cyclone Gabrielle, urging the Government to include midwifery and Māori leadership in emergency planning. The report calls for equity-focused reforms to protect pregnant women and whānau in climate crises.

  • 18 September 2025

    From Wānanga baby to Wānanga tauira

    Ripekka Matthews’ lifelong connection to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa began as a child and continues today through her te reo Māori studies. Discover how her journey from wānanga baby to tauira reflects whānau legacy, cultural identity, and the transformative power of education.