Toi is the kupu Maaori used for art. Listening to koorero from other Ringatoi, true Toi can be distinguished from other forms of art, as it has a whakapapa. The kupu Tipu, is a word that we use for plants, particularly seedlings. It also can be used as a word for growth.

When used together, Tipu Toi could translate to ‘Art of Plants’, but it means so much more.

Tipu Toi was created with te taiao and te Ao māori in mind.

Everything I create is to honour this. Every one of my pieces has a whakapapa as it speaks to my own whakapapa as Tangata Whenua and Katiaki of this land.