Māori Legends · Leadership
Dame Whina Cooper
Whina Cooper led the Māori land march to Parliament in 1975.
Fact source ↗Photo: Christian Heinegg. Free use with attribution. Photo source
Colour · Learn · Imagine
Māori Legends
Meet people who have made their mark. Discover their work, colour their stories, and imagine what you could do.
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Māori Legends · Education and leadership
Sir Āpirana Ngata
Āpirana Ngata collected and published traditional Māori songs in Ngā Mōteatea.
Fact source ↗Photo: Taken by an unidentified photographer.. Public domain. Photo source
Māori Legends · Community leadership
Te Puea Hērangi
Te Puea Hērangi helped establish Tūrangawaewae marae at Ngāruawāhia.
Fact source ↗Photo: William A Price. Public domain. Photo source
Māori Legends · Kīngitanga
Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Tūheitia was the seventh Māori monarch, serving from 2006 until 2024.
Fact source ↗Photo: Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Kīngitanga
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
Te Atairangikaahu served as Māori Queen for forty years, from 1966 to 2006.
Fact source ↗Photo: Rob Bogaerts for Anefo. CC BY-SA 3.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Language and community leadership
Sir James Hēnare
James Hēnare supported the kōhanga reo movement to help te reo Māori grow.
Fact source ↗Photo: Photographer unknown. Public domain. Photo source
Māori Legends · Kīngitanga
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po
Nga wai hono i te po became the eighth Māori monarch in September 2024.
Fact source ↗Photo: Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand. CC0 1.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Medicine and research
Te Rangi Hīroa / Sir Peter Buck
Te Rangi Hīroa trained as a doctor and became a researcher of Pacific cultures.
Fact source ↗Photo: Archives New Zealand. CC BY 2.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Women’s political participation
Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia
In 1893, Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia asked the Māori parliament to give women a political voice.
Fact source ↗Photo: FW Mason, photographers, Emerson St, Napier, New Zealand. Public domain. Photo source
Māori Legends · Painting
Ralph Hōtere
Ralph Hōtere used painting to explore identity and respond to social issues.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Writing and research
Mākereti Papakura
Mākereti Papakura wrote about Māori life and knowledge in The Old-Time Maori.
Fact source ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. No known copyright restrictions. Photo source
Māori Legends · Carving and visual art
Cliff Whiting
Cliff Whiting helped create Te Hono ki Hawaiki, the meeting house at Te Papa.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Waiata and teaching
Ngoi Pēwhairangi
Ngoi Pēwhairangi wrote the words to Poi E, with music by Dalvanius Prime.
Fact source ↗Photo: Gisborne Herald, via Te Ara. Copyright retained by the original rights holder. Photo source
Māori Legends · Waiata and kapa haka
Rob Ruha
Rob Ruha is a songwriter, performer and kapa haka tutor who mentors young Māori artists.
Fact source ↗Photo: The Cafe (Archive). CC BY 3.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Music and wellbeing
Dame Hinewehi Mohi
Hinewehi Mohi co-founded the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, which supports people through music.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Music
Stan Walker
Stan Walker performs songs in both English and te reo Māori.
Fact source ↗Photo: Champochampo. CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo source
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Māori Legends · Opera
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Kiri Te Kanawa became an internationally celebrated opera singer.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC0 1.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Acting
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison has acted in films and television productions in Aotearoa and overseas.
Fact source ↗Photo: John Manard. CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Acting
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Keisha Castle-Hughes played Pai in Whale Rider and received an Academy Award nomination for the role.
Fact source ↗Photo: Sarah Said-1952. CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Filmmaking
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi works as a director, writer, actor and visual artist.
Fact source ↗Photo: CaseyJNewell. CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Art and digital storytelling
Lisa Reihana
Lisa Reihana creates artworks using film, photography and other media.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Service
Willie Apiata
Willie Apiata received the Victoria Cross for rescuing a wounded fellow soldier.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Kayaking
Dame Lisa Carrington
Lisa Carrington won eight Olympic gold medals across the London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Animation and business
Sir Ian Taylor
Ian Taylor co-founded Animation Research, a company known for computer graphics and sports animation.
Fact source ↗Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General. CC BY 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Tennis
Dame Ruia Morrison
Ruia Morrison competed at Wimbledon and won many New Zealand tennis titles.
Fact source ↗Photo: Archives New Zealand. CC BY 2.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Māori astronomy
Professor Rangi Mātāmua
Rangi Mātāmua shares knowledge about Māori astronomy and Matariki.
Fact source ↗Photo: Royal Society Te Apārangi. CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo source
Māori Legends · Technology and business
Kendall Flutey
Kendall Flutey co-founded Banqer, a digital learning platform that helps students learn about money.
Fact source ↗Photo: TE KARAKA / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu; photographer uncredited. Copyright retained by the original rights holder. Photo source
Māori Legends · AI and Māori data rights
Dr Karaitiana Taiuru
Karaitiana Taiuru works on artificial intelligence and Māori rights in the digital world.
Fact source ↗Photo: Taiuru & Associates Ltd. Used with credit. Photo source
Māori Legends · Parliament and community leadership
Iriaka Rātana
In 1949, Iriaka Rātana became the first Māori woman elected to New Zealand Parliament.
Fact source ↗Photo: Tesla Studio; Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. Public domain in New Zealand (Commons PD-New Zealand). Photo source
Māori Legends · Comedy, music and acting
Billy T. James
Billy T. James entertained audiences as a comedian, musician and actor. The Billy T Award honours emerging comedians.
Fact source ↗Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand; EP/1985/3350/26-F. Copyright retained by the original rights holder. Photo source
Māori Legends · Your turn
Invent something helpful
Inspired by Kendall Flutey, Ian Taylor and Karaitiana Taiuru. Imagine a tool that could help your whānau or community.
Draw your invention and label its main parts.
Your drawing
Māori Legends · Your turn
Tell a story in four scenes
Inspired by Billy T. James, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Temuera Morrison and Taika Waititi. Plan a short film or a kind, funny skit. Make people laugh without putting anyone down.
Draw the beginning, a challenge, what happens next, and the ending.
1 · Beginning
2 · Challenge
3 · What happens next?
4 · Ending
Māori Legends · Your turn
Make your own waiata
Inspired by our singers, composers and language champions. Write original words about your whānau, a place you love, or a hope for the future. You can write in a language you know.
Design a picture for your song cover.
Your drawing
Māori Legends · Your turn
Create art with a message
Inspired by Ralph Hōtere, Cliff Whiting and Lisa Reihana. Your own shapes and colours can tell a story.
Create an original artwork about your idea.
Your drawing
Māori Legends · Your turn
Help your community
Inspired by Iriaka Rātana and the other leaders and people who serve others in this book. Small actions can make a difference.
Draw what your helpful action could look like.
Your drawing
Māori Legends · Your turn
Set a sporting goal
Inspired by Lisa Carrington and Ruia Morrison. Choose a sport or movement you enjoy and a skill you would like to practise.
Draw yourself enjoying your chosen sport or movement.
Your drawing
Māori Legends · Your turn
Keep a sky journal
Inspired by Rangi Mātāmua. Observe the evening sky from a familiar place with your whānau. A cloudy sky is worth recording too.
Draw the sky you actually observed. Add your own labels.
Your drawing
Māori Legends · Your turn
Imagine your own future
There are many ways to contribute. Think about what you enjoy, what you care about, and what you would like to learn.
Draw yourself doing something you would love to try.
Your drawing
Sources, photographs and acknowledgements
Original illustrated scenes are inspired by each person’s work; they are not documentary photographs. The small photographs show the real people. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
These pages introduce historical and contemporary people. Kīngitanga is a Māori institution with its own history; these pages do not suggest that all Māori share one practice or affiliation.
- Dame Whina Cooper — fact source. Photograph: Christian Heinegg; Free use with attribution. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Sir Āpirana Ngata — fact source. Photograph: Taken by an unidentified photographer.; Public domain. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Te Puea Hērangi — fact source. Photograph: William A Price; Public domain. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII — fact source. Photograph: Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu — fact source. Photograph: Rob Bogaerts for Anefo; CC BY-SA 3.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Sir James Hēnare — fact source. Photograph: Photographer unknown; Public domain. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po — fact source. Photograph: Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand; CC0 1.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Te Rangi Hīroa / Sir Peter Buck — fact source. Photograph: Archives New Zealand; CC BY 2.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia — fact source. Photograph: FW Mason, photographers, Emerson St, Napier, New Zealand; Public domain. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Ralph Hōtere — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Mākereti Papakura — fact source. Photograph: Unknown author Unknown author; No known copyright restrictions. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Cliff Whiting — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Ngoi Pēwhairangi — fact source. Photograph: Gisborne Herald, via Te Ara; Copyright retained by the original rights holder. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Rob Ruha — fact source. Photograph: The Cafe (Archive); CC BY 3.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Dame Hinewehi Mohi — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Stan Walker — fact source. Photograph: Champochampo; CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC0 1.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Temuera Morrison — fact source. Photograph: John Manard; CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Keisha Castle-Hughes — fact source. Photograph: Sarah Said-1952; CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Taika Waititi — fact source. Photograph: CaseyJNewell; CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Lisa Reihana — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Willie Apiata — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Dame Lisa Carrington — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Sir Ian Taylor — fact source. Photograph: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General; CC BY 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Dame Ruia Morrison — fact source. Photograph: Archives New Zealand; CC BY 2.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Professor Rangi Mātāmua — fact source. Photograph: Royal Society Te Apārangi; CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Kendall Flutey — fact source. Photograph: TE KARAKA / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu; photographer uncredited; Copyright retained by the original rights holder. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Dr Karaitiana Taiuru — fact source. Photograph: Taiuru & Associates Ltd; Used with credit. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Iriaka Rātana — fact source. Photograph: Tesla Studio; Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand; Public domain in New Zealand (Commons PD-New Zealand). Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.
- Billy T. James — fact source. Photograph: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand; EP/1985/3350/26-F; Copyright retained by the original rights holder. Licence. Photograph resized; original composition retained.