Tena koutou katoa and Welcome to the website of Tahaa - Ta Moko studio and Maori arts online. Within this website you will find a range of Maori Arts from Ta Moko (Traditional Maori Body Art), Taonga Puoro (Traditional Maori Musical Instruments), Whakairo (Maori wood carving), Stone Sculpture, Paint, Mixed Media as well as some stunning public works which are on permanent display in the community.
It is our hope that this website will offer visitors both an introduction as well as an insight into Maori arts and that there is something for everyone who may come to visit. Tahaa founder and Maori Arts Practitioner James Webster is regularly involved in wananga around Aotearoa across the many related art forms and can be contacted through this website. With a home studio based in Whitianga James is available to do Ta Moko by appointment (also with a mobile facility for out of town work). Use our contact page for more information on availability.
Taia o moko hei hoa matenga mou “Take your moko as a friend for life”. Ta MokoThe origins of tamoko come from Rangi and Papa through one of their offspring called Ruaumoko who is seen as the god of earthquakes, volcanoes and subterranean activity.
James Webster has produced a large number of works which are on public display for us all to enjoy. These fantastic pieces are scattered throughout New Zealand, some standing out against the landscape - others blending nonchalantly into their surroundings...
Maori Music traditions are founded in a creation story where ‘The Gods sang the Universe into Existence’. The musical instruments are therefore parts of the families of the Gods. Tunes are named Rangi after the Sky Father and rhythms come from the heartbeats of Papa, the Earth Mother.
Paint and Mixed expressions can conjure up some incredible artistic creations when produced with traditional Maori elements and legends in mind. Check out our galleries for a range of Paint and Mixed Media artworks created by Tahaa.
