Te Ngau o te Ngira is a collective of Maaori artists, united by a passion for preserving and sharing maaori art.
Committed to the principle of whakawhanaungatanga or building relationships, Te Ngau o te Ngira engages with other indigenous groups, sharing stories, symbolism, and techniques behind taa moko, whakairo and maaori contemporary art.
Te Ngau o te Ngira takes pride in its commitment to cultural preservation by encouraging the exchange of art in a way that respects its origins and embraces the evolution of indigenous art.
Our name
Te Ngau o Te Ngira means 'The bite of the needle'. The bite or "te ngau" is referring to engagement. The needle or “te ngira” being the culture. As the needle or culture is injected through moko (referring to the needle penetrating the skin) it creates a deeper connection of our cultures.
Our Team
We are like-minded artists who have come together to form this collective . Each of us brings our own unique style and skills to the table with a desire of sharing our art with other cultures.
What we Do
- Live displays showcasing Maaori taa moko (tattooing) and whakaairo (carving) at events and festivals around the globe with a focus on working with other indigenous groups.
- Presentations on the origins of taa moko and its journey into contemporary moko.
- Cultural exchange. Meeting, greeting and sharing our unique culture