A new report by Toi Mai Ohu Ahumahi – Workforce Development Council will help ensure Kaihanga Toi Māori working in the built environment are paid appropriately and recognised for the economic and cultural value they bring to projects.

He Toi Whakairo, He Mana Tangata – Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity – Best practice for Toi Māori within the built environment was developed in response to long-standing issues for Kaihanga Toi Māori that commissioning agencies are unaware of the full significance of their work, says Te Tumu o Toi | Toi Mai Chief Executive Dr Claire Robinson.   

“Demand for Māori involvement in New Zealand’s built environment has grown significantly in the past decade, for example public sculptures and buildings such as libraries. Too often, though, the value Kaihanga Toi Māori bring to projects is undervalued by the commissioning agencies.” 

Dr Robinson says a Kaihanga Toi Māori is a Māori practitioner who is fluent in the visual articulation of mātauranga Māori in a creative context.  

“They contribute beyond cultural aesthetics. They embed mātauranga Māori into the design and planning process, provide cultural advice, act as kaitiaki and bring mana and cultural integrity to projects.”  

Toi Mai Poumatua Tama Kirikiri says the report establishes best practice guidelines for commissioning agencies working with Kaihanga Toi Māori in the built environment and covers tikanga Toi Māori/engagement, kaitiakitanga/guardianship and utu/remuneration, with a series of recommendations.

“One key issue addressed is the misalignment between the value Kaihanga Toi Māori bring to projects and what they are paid. Too often they are treated as an afterthought through a koha payment and aren’t included in the procurement process or factored as a specific budget line or cost.” 

The report sets clear remuneration rates using three pricing models, benchmarked against current industry architectural remuneration rates.  

Tohunga Toi Māori and report consultant Ngataiharuru Taepa says because Toi Māori is an emerging industry, the guidelines are needed to provide clarity for commissioning agencies around tikanga, kaitiakitanga and utu.  

“There has been a fear from practitioners to define this, and my response is, if we don’t define it, others will do it for us. And if we don’t, the next generation will have to do what we did, which is find their way through and be blown around in the wind. 

“There’s work to do with our wider community, our governing agencies and the Crown to understand just how rich Toi Māori can be for the wellbeing and health of everybody in this country.”  

Toi Mai has also developed a companion rauemi, a resource for Kaihanga Toi Māori – particularly those at the start of their career – to help them scope and price commissioned Toi Māori works. It includes proposed remuneration rates, prompts to help creatives better understand the scope of their role in the project, and suggestions on calculating fees. 

Dr Robinson says the report and rauemi were developed with input from leading Kaihanga Toi Māori (designers, architects, artists), mana whenua representatives from the Wellington region, and representatives from Wellington City Council. 

“Toi Mai acknowledges that each region and iwi will have their own unique circumstances and specific needs, but it’s important that industry standards are identified and understood to provide a sustainable and professional practice for current and future Kaihanga Toi Māori.” 

Following the disestablishment of Toi Mai on 31 December 2025 as part of the Government’s vocational education and training reforms, Dr Robinson hopes the report will generate further engagement between Kaihanga Toi Māori, commissioning bodies and agencies such as central and local government to develop similar guidelines and price structures for mahi on other types of commissioned and funded work.

Click here to access the full report He Toi Whakairo, He Mana Tangata, Rauemi for Kaihanga Toi Māori and other resources.