Toi Ake supports the preservation and development of toi Māori for hapū/iwi. Whakapapa-based roopu may apply to Te Waka Toi for funding or consultant assistance to undertake a Toi Ake project.

Kaupapa of Toi Ake

Toi Ake encapsulates the concepts of:

• Toi: symbolising the pinnacle or excellence - in this case, in arts and culture
• Ake: signifying growth, development and the notion of upward movement or energy

Together, these ensure that the drive for hapū, iwi and Māori to achieve is centred on the premise of responsibility, cultural integrity and strengthened identity.

He iti toki he rite ki te tangata - let the small adze be employed by a tohunga for the finest for the most intricate.

Key objectives of Toi Ake are:

• the promotion of cultural identities and integrity through a focus on toi Māori grounded in whakapapa
• the preservation and development of cultural expression, both tangible and intangible, through mahi toi
• the enhancement of iwi, hapū, marae and Māori community pride in, awareness and understanding of, and focus on mahi toi
• the strengthening of iwi, hapū, marae and Māori community knowledge and skills in mahi toi.

Goals of Toi Ake include:

• development of skills and knowledge in toi Māori, as relevant to iwi, whānau, hapū and Māori
• transmission of knowledge and skills across generations
• facilitation of cultural retention and development
• facilitating the availability and accessibility to all Māori of participation in toi Māori
• promotion of the connection between Māori and toi Māori in all aspects of life
• enhancing the quality of toi Māori.

Background to Toi Ake

Toi Ake has been tailored by iwi and arts practitioners into a model that focuses on development and retention of nga toi Māori, both traditional and contemporary.

Many of the key objectives are positioned to look at the long term strength in Māori arts.

One of the integral strands in this initiative is for the iwi, hapū, whānau and whakapapa-based roopu to develop an arts strategy based on their strengths and weaknesses.

Applying to Toi Ake

Please complete an application cover sheet and provide a detailed art strategy plan. Our application guidelines provide a checklist of what to put in your art strategy plan.

Application guidelines (MS Word 115KB)

Application cover sheet (MS Word 60KB)

There are two funding rounds per year.

Closing date:

5pm, Friday 25 July 2008

For more information on eligibility criteria, examples of the types of projects we support, and for application forms contact:

Rawiri Waititi
Toi Ake Project Co-ordinator
Creative New Zealand
P.O.Box 3806, Wellington
Tel: 09 373 3478
Email:rawiri.waititi@creativenz.govt.nz

Contact