Rangatahi carving their own way forward

Tāmaki rangatahi are carving their way into a brighter future, one deeply rooted in te ao Māori.

Through the Mahi ā Toi Academy at Rutherford College, tauira aren’t just learning the Māori art of whakairo, they’re also discovering how to blend traditional skills with modern tools, while building a strong connection to their whakapapa. It’s more than just art; it’s a way to honour their ancestors, express their identity, and pave the way for future generations to do the same.

Started over 10 years ago, the programme offers rangatahi in Year 11 and upwards the opportunity to learn kaupapa like whakairo, raranga, kapa haka, and digital toi.

In years 12 and 13, tauira spend time learning in a tertiary setting, and in 2024 this was at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Each week tauira worked towards NCEA credits in drawing, design, or whakairo in an environment that nurtures Māori culture and knowledge.

Recent graduates Hunter, Troy, Sione, and Josephine spent 3 years in the programme and found their passion for whakairo through Mahi ā Toi.

“We chose Mahi ā Toi to keep carving alive and connect with our culture,” says Troy.

The programme has given these rangatahi the opportunity to learn traditional carving techniques while picking up modern skills as well, including using Adobe Illustrator to create digital art. By blending the old with the new, they’re developing a wider skill set for the future.

Owning their Māori identity with pride is at the heart of the programmes, something kaiako Matua Jeff sees as its true purpose.

“They’re realising that being Māori is actually cool.”

Connecting tauira with the whakapapa behind Māori carving is a rewarding outcome of the programme.

“Learning the tikanga and whakapapa behind whakairo has made what we’re doing way more meaningful,” says Josephine.

Andrea Thumath, National Lead Youth Pathways & Transitions, sees firsthand how powerful this kaupapa Māori environment is.

“Everywhere they look, they see themselves in their culture. They can unapologetically be who they are and show that in their art.”

The mahi toi completed by the rangatahi is turning heads.

“The carvings are phenomenal and witnessing the boost of confidence in their culture has been awesome.”

Mahi ā Toi has impacts beyond high school. Hunter, Troy, Sione, and Josephine have all been inspired to pursue Māori arts further. All 4 are enrolled in Kāwai Raupapa - Certificate in Māori & Indigenous Art (Whakairo) with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in 2025.

The programme has seen remarkable academic success, with most tauira achieving Merit or Excellence in NCEA levels 1-3.

Matua Jeff is proud that the number of successful tauira has tripled.

“Regardless of the outcome, there’s so much personal growth as they discover who they are.”

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is growing its Secondary-Tertiary programmes across Tāmaki Makaurau, with new offerings in more kura in 2025. Strong partnerships, like those with Rutherford Colllege, will keep this kaupapa moving forward, giving even more rangatahi the opportunity to create through Māori arts, connect with their whakapapa, and carve out their own futures.

Find out more about our Toi Māori (Arts) programmes.