Tiki is back

Nau mai haere mai and welcome to the official Tiki site. If you are looking for Maori design, information on Maori design or perhaps a specialist in this field you have arrived at the right place.

If you are new to Maori design you may be interested in seeing how it is applied in digital form on print media, products, textiles and apparel. The tiki site is an example of the tiki brand that shows how this is achieved and marketed.

This concept is not new to Maori. In fact, Maori design has been used as a marketing tool for trade as works of art as far back as the 17th century where many artifacts such as waka oars were painted in kowhaiwhai and are now in the the hands of private collectors and museums around the world.

What differentiates the products of Tiki is their design aspect which embraces traditional and modern techniques created by Maori designers who are trained practitioners in Maori arts and design with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the physical and spiritual aspects of their culture.

Aotearoa history

Aotearoa (New Zealand) was first discovered by the legendary Kupe around the year AD 950. Kupe is said to have sailed out of a mythical place called Hawaiki. Aotearoa was later to be inhabited by the Maori around AD 1350, when seven great migratory canoes (whaka) sailed from Hawaiki to New Zealand.

The first European explorer to sight New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642.

Aotearoa today is going through a revolutionary cultural rebirth. This has been so significant that Continue reading

The coming of Maori to Aotearoa New Zealand

This section contains relevant information that is widely accepted about the coming of Maori to Aotearoa New Zealand. Note, however, the information contained is only relevant to present research methods that are improving every day.

The Artistic Landscape By Peter Simpson
This is information about the artistic landscape of New Zealand, the history and influences of Maori Art.

Kupe
Kupe was a great chief of

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The Tiki name

The Tiki name is known throughout the Pacific and Polynesia, including Hawaii. Maori legend has it that Tiki, like Adam, was the first man to be created. He was said to be the progeny of mankind symbolising fertility and creativity.