Top Toi award for Kereti
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Kairuruku and Pouwhenua whakairo (master carver), Professor Kereti G. Rautangata has recently been recognised at the 2021 Te Waka Toi - Creative NZ Awards.
He received the Ngā Tohu Hautūtanga Auaha Toi - Making a Difference Award, which “celebrates and honours your leadership and outstanding contribution to the development of new directions in Māori art”.
The annual Te Waka Toi awards recognise the artistic excellence, achievement and contribution of Māori artists, working in customary and contemporary Māori arts.
Kereti - nō Tainui, Te Arawa - was first enticed to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa more than 25 years ago by Dr Rongo Wetere and Master Carver, Mac Bell and has previously served on the board of Te Waka Toi.
“I was on Te Waka Toi for six years handing out the awards, so it’s great to now be on the receiving side,” he says.
He was “very humbled and delighted” to receive this prestigious Toi Award and acknowledgement, and he especially appreciates his three referees who supported this award: Former Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Te Ururoa Flavell, Dr Tom Roa and Fairfield College Principal, Richard Crawford.
“While I’m a bit shy to talk about this, I must always pay tribute to my mentors, Dr Paki Harrison, Prof. Wharehuia Milroy and of course, Prof. Napi Waaka. The legacy of those Tohunga still inspire me to keep fanning the spark to blaze in people, to optimise the potential that I see in others.”
Even after decades working with tauira and kaiako, Kereti continues to be inspired by seeing them succeed.
“I still get a massive buzz, when I get an invitation, to share the macro and micro picture. Too often we end up stuck on the detail and lose sight of the essence or big picture. I love it, I get uplifted, just to extend someone else’s view that little bit more,” he says.
“Otherwise what a waste of a life, if you haven’t inspired, uplifted or enhanced the wairua of others. To inspire, you must be inspired yourself.”
In line with the name of his award, Kereti is confident he has made a difference over the years. At a recent interview, former tauira and colleagues spoke highly on his behalf.
“Listening to them talk was quite moving actually. You don’t realise the impact you make on others.”
And the key to his continued success?
“Hard work, total commitment and sacrifice for your vision. Refuse to limit yourself, let alone allowing anyone else to limit you.”
“Kia ora te mā, kia mate te pango” - Let light predominate, and darkness diminish.
Learn more about our Toi Māort Arts programmes.
Pūrongo whakahirahira
Featured stories
Cambridge Museum project guided by wānanga tikanga studies
Cambridge Museum manager, Elizabeth Harvey, is combining her tikanga studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with her passion for local history, to support the museum’s Voices of Cambridge project.
Wānanga launches first of their kind mātauranga Māori certificates, marking a new era for Indigenous knowledge education
Responding to the growing needs and aspirations of tauira, iwi and communities, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is breaking new ground with the launch of 2 new Level 4 certificates that will be the first standalone programmes of their kind in Aotearoa.
Learning tikanga to strengthen community work
After making the move to Aotearoa in 2014 from Germany, Almaz Bergz set out to gain a better understanding of the people, whenua, and culture that shape life here.
Thriving as a kaiako after He Korowai Ākonga
When Marlena Martin began her studies in He Korowai Ākonga – Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) in 2023, she never imagined where it would take her and how much she would grow as an individual.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa launches new international reo Māori learning
iReo is a flexible, self-directed, online short course made up of 5 standalone modules, each running over 6 weeks. Learners can study at their own pace, weaving te reo Māori into everyday life alongside work, whānau, and other commitments.
Wānanga business programme helps launch The Dog Nanny
Ōtautahi local Jane Dungey turned her passion for animals into The Dog Nanny after completing the Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
From closed doors to open pathways
After the closure of Grace Foundation Whanganui, Craig Kara used his Manaaki Tāngata studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to create Te Ara Kimihia, a kaupapa supporting tāne toward positive futures. His journey of healing, leadership, and transformation now inspires others to find their own pathway forward.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori for future generations
Discover how Māori governance grounded in te ao Māori is shaping future generations. Learn about Manu Taiko – Toro Parirau, a unique programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that empowers whānau with tikanga-based leadership and decision-making skills.
Companion of Te Apārangi, Champion of Te Reo Māori
Te Rita Papesch, musician, educator, and kapa haka stalwart, has been inducted as a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover her inspiring journey of music, haka, and te reo Māori, and how her lifelong dedication to Māori culture shaped generations.
Keil Caskey – former tauira, now kaiako
Keil Caskey’s journey from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa shows the transformative power of toi Māori education. Discover how his passion for taonga pūoro and commitment to whānau and whakapapa inspired him to teach and give back to his community.
Building confidence, careers, and culture through Māori performing arts
Discover how Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Certificate in Māori Performing Arts goes beyond kapa haka, empowering tauira with skills in drama, screen acting, and public speaking. Hear how graduates like Niquita Samuel are building confidence, careers, and cultural pride.
Making connections between media and Māoritanga
Lizzie Dunn created Te Arawhata to help people reconnect with te ao Māori through media, resources, and kōrero. Discover how her reo journey and passion for sharing knowledge are inspiring thousands to embrace Māoritanga and strengthen cultural connections.