Toi Māori – A Contemporary Toi Visual Arts Programme

Join us for a fun and immersive 4-week creative journey exploring the beauty and meaning of traditional kōwhaiwhai patterns. Designed for beginners and those wanting a refresher, this hands-on programme will guide you through drawing a variety of traditional Māori motifs and incorporating them into your own contemporary artwork.

Through thoughtfully facilitated sessions, you will learn the stories and symbolism behind traditional patterns, build confidence in your drawing skills, and experiment with a range of creative materials and techniques. By the end of the programme, you will have created a meaningful artwork inspired by your learning.

Programme Dates: Thursdays, 15 October to 5 November 2026
Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm
Cost: $40 per person (includes all materials)

What to bring: Kai for a shared lunch

What You'll Learn

The meaning and significance of traditional kōwhaiwhai patterns and figures
Techniques for drawing and combining patterns
Creative ways to apply traditional designs using contemporary materials
How to develop and complete your own unique artwork

Who Should Enrol?

This programme is suitable for anyone aged 16 years and over who is interested in learning about Māori visual arts in a supportive, kaupapa Māori learning environment. No prior experience is necessary.

Come along, connect with others, build your creative confidence, and discover the joy of creating through toi Māori. All materials are provided.

As a not-for-profit organisation, NGĀ ART (Te Whare Toi o Ngaaruawaahia) relies on grants, community funding, and donations to keep our classes affordable and accessible for everyone in our community. This programme is generously subsidised thanks to funding support from TEC (Tertiary Education Commission) to assist with literacy and numeracy needs of our participants. You must attend 80% of the classes. At the same time we hope you will learn other useful and interesting skills and have a lot of fun learning with us.

(Payment plans are available if you are unable to pay in full at time of registration. Contact admin@ngaart.org.nz)

Toi Maaori Term 4 2026