Globally, there is a hunger for authentic brands, experiences and a connection with people and community. This has created an increased desire to authentically engage with and share Māori culture, narratives and forms of expression. Learn how to create authentic Māori cultural design and narratives at this full day workshop.

Presented by Johnson McKay (Ngāti Kahungunu, Tainui Waikato, Ngāti Porou), Ngā Aho Best Award recipient from the Designers Institute and Ngā Tohu Reo award recipient from the Māori Language Commission, his body of work and passion make this workshop a not to be missed experience.

The workshop explores three key aspects to using Māori design:

Purpose
We review a broad spectrum of historical and contemporary case studies of Māori design to define the principles of Māori art forms and how we can apply these to contemporary applications. Of importance is what is traditional vs modern, authentic vs inauthentic Māori design.

Protection
Gain a deeper understanding of key aspects of Tikanga Māori and how they assist at protecting and elevating Māori design in a variety of contexts. What are appropriate design narratives and how do you add to the body of amazing work being produced without plagiarising or offending.

Partnership
We discuss different kinds of partnership models with Iwi Māori and Māori artists identify which model is appropriate for their aspirations to incorporate Māori concepts into their brand or product. Several barriers are also reviewed and solutions proposed.

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About the facilitator

Johnson McKay

Tēnā koutou e ngā hau e whā,

E mihi kau ana au ki te tai rāwhiti, mai i te one o Te Māhia Mai Tawhiti ki te tihi o maunga Hikurangi, ara, ko te whenua kura o ōku tīpuna. Nō Ngāti Porou rāua ko Ngāti Rongomaiwahine ahau. Ka rere atu āku mihi ki te tai hauāuru, ki te āhuru mōwai o ōku tuupuna nō Ngāti Mahuta e noho ana i ngā pikopiko o te awa Waikato. E ngā mātāwaka, ngā iwi, ngā whānau whanui, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Kia ora everyone. I am the Founder and Creative Strategist at Ira, an agency I started back in 2005. In that time, we have worked across a wide portfolio of clients, from Air New Zealand and Auckland Tourism, to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and Coca Cola brands. Our work has been recognised by the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Awards for work across Chelsea Sugar, McDonalds and Māori Television. We’ve also received awards and recognition from The Māori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori) for work to normalise and revitalise te reo Māori on our design practise.

My passion is authentic narratives, told in compelling and emotionally engaging ways and we bring that lens to every client project. I gain a strong source of inspiration and meaning from Aotearoa: our nature, our people, our native language, art and values.

Like most New Zealanders, my identity is a mix of influences. From my American mother, to my father, who grew up in Māhia, to my love of hip hop and basketball culture, to my religious and cultural values. That fluid mix is my bridge to the minds and hearts of diverse people and why I have created this workshop. It’s a space for everyone, of all cultures to come and create their bridge to Māori values, culture, language and art forms. Bring your diverse influences with you and leave being added to through the richness of Te Ao Māori.

Nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai nei ki tēnei wānanga.

Karawhiua!