Five kaumātua’s generosity and talent was acknowledged at the recent Te Waka Toi awards ceremony. The 2010 Te Waka Toi awards commemorated:

• the international success of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou) with Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu;
• the creative innovation of Tairoa Royal (Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa, Kai Tahu) with Te Tohu Toi Kē;
• the promotion of Te Reo Māori by Te Onehou Phillis (Ngāti Awa) with Te Tohu Aroha mō Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: ‘Whakarongo, Titiro, Kōrero’;
• the huge commitment of five kaumātua, who through their generosity and talent, enrich the artistic traditions of communities, with Ngā Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka:
  • Jossie Kaa (Ruawaipu, Ngāti Porou),
  • Kihi Ngatai (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui),
  • Wairukuruku Maere (Ngāti Naho, Ngāti Mahuta o Tainui, Waikato, Ngāti Poporo, Ngāti Kahungunu),
  • Vera Morgan (Te Māhurehure),
  • Wiremu Kaa (Ruawaipu, Ngāti Porou).
• Two emerging Māori artists with the award of Ngā Karahipi a Te Waka Toi – scholarships to assist with further study:
• Talented young arts curator and visual artist Reuben Friend from Waikato,
• Gifted tā moko practitioner Taryn Beri from Wellington.