What began as a kōrero between artists back in 2018, quickly evolved into the first Ngā Uri o Muturangi: Wānanga Indigenous being held on Whareroa Marae, Mount Maunganui in 2019. This first wānanga encouraged collectivity and vision around moko practice principles including ngā toi, waiata, haka, kōrero and mātauranga. Following our wananga, collectively we entered into the mainstream tattoo expo scene as the indigenous space of the Tattoo & Art ExtravagaNZa held at Baypark.

​

Still jubilant from the success of 2019, we began preparations for 2020 with the idea of reclaiming space, and Ngā Uri o Muturangi: Tā Atea was created. The concept was to continue with the success the teachings of wānanga afforded the artists, but also reclaim indigenous space within a conventional tattoo expo as our own. As the kaupapa of sharing indigenous practices did not align with the competitive environment of a conventional tattoo expo, during whakawhitiwhiti kōrero, it was decided to create an environment that asserted mana motuhake over mātauranga Māori, indigenous people and our skin marking practices - led and grown by tā moko artists. With a small team, support in abundance and a network of indigenous artists - Toi Kiri 2022 was created.

​

We haven't moved since but we have grown.

 

What began as a wānanga and featured expo practice, has become a tangata whenua hosted immersive wānanga-a-mātauranga and public festival that profiles leading artists who bind their art practices to culturally meaningful expression of indigenous skin marking identity. Indigenous groups reflect, learn, share and collaborate cultural arts and tattoo heritage, values and beliefs. 

​

Toi Kiri has become a standalone all inclusive event of indigenous wānanga, festival, symposium and exhibition. Toi Kiri continues to expand its influence to encompass further cultural arts and national delegations for New Zealand as a whole.