Mr Wi Taepa, ONZM, of Porirua, for services to Māori art, particularly ceramics
Wi Taepa (Te Arawa, Ngati Whakaue, Te Āti Awa) is a leading Māori artist. Early in his career, he shifted from carving to clay and has worked to position the relatively unrecognised medium within mātauranga Māori. His has exhibited in New Zealand and internationally. He was a founder of Ngā Kaihanga Uku National Collective of Māori Clay Workers. He has travelled internationally, bringing back new connections with fellow indigenous artists, techniques and research. He ran Māori art workshops at Wi Tako (now Rimutaka) Prison and as a social worker at Kohitere Boys’ Training Institute. He has mentored young artists through formal teaching positions and individually. Mr Taepa contributed to the carving of pou for Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre and completion of Orongomai Marae in Upper Hutt.