Renowned Whakatāne storyteller Joe Harawira has been named the supreme winner of Creative New Zealand’s Te Waka Toi Awards, which celebrate Māori arts excellence.

Mr Harawira (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Maniapoto) is also a cultural leader and advocate for te ao Māori whose life’s work has uplifted communities across Aotearoa and abroad.

He was named by Creative NZ recently as the recipient of the Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Supreme Award.

Eleven other awards were presented to recipients across the country, with the presentations happening in their communities to ensure the recognition is grounded where their mahi lives and breathes.

Beginning his journey as a teacher, Mr Harawira spent 25 years in education before joining Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation, where he continues to guide Treaty of Waitangi, iwi engagement and professional development work grounded in tikanga and whakapapa.

As an oral storyteller, Mr Harawira has carried the narratives of his people to audiences worldwide, embedding mātauranga Māori in every performance.

Deeply committed to the performing arts, he has long served Te Matatini as a delegate and was honoured with life membership in 2018 for his immense contribution to kapa haka.

Mr Harawira’s cultural leadership extends across organisations including Air New Zealand, Save the Kiwi and Sustainable Seas, where he serves as Pou Tikanga.

He also chairs the He Awhi Tikanga Committee, which is a team of expert knowledge keepers, who encompass and nurture the activities of Toi Māori.

It is a forum premised upon tikanga Māori within the arts.

After decades living and teaching in Waikato, he was ceremonially returned home to Taiwhakaea by Kiingi Tuheitia and Waikato-Tainui – a reflection of the esteem in which he is held.

Today, Mr Harawira continues to champion kaupapa Māori, storytelling and intergenerational knowledge transmission with humility, heart, and unwavering dedication.

Te Kaupapa Toi o Aotearoa senior manager Haniko Te Kurapa said presenting the awards was an uplifting experience.

“After 39 years, the Te Waka Toi Awards continue to uplift and celebrate the depth of ngā toi Māori.

“Each year we travel our rohe, strengthening hononga, receiving and giving manaakitanga, and contributing to the wider hāpori in ways that ripple beyond the moment.

“We celebrate our ringatoi who challenge, provoke kōrero, and expand how we think, feel, and engage through their mahi.

“These recipients carry Māori arts forward with confidence, purpose, and the strength of our values in their hono and manaakitanga.”

Short videos of interviews with each recipient have been published on Creative New Zealand’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.