Engaging with Māori culture is something that both Māori and non-Māori designers in New Zealand are going to have to do one way or another. It is something that is becoming more relevant as New Zealand and the rest of the world becomes more progressive in its approach to respecting and representing indigenous peoples.

It is vital for us as designers to take a deeper look, and do our best in understanding mātauranga Māori, so that we can appropriately reflect that through correct tikanga to produce something that respects Māori rather than tokenising Māori.

Mahi Tuhi is a case study of the personal journey that I have gone through in understanding the Māori perspective. It is the development of a writing system built specifically to write Te Reo Māori. The project is split into two books. Mahi documents the entire process and changes to approach of thinking and application of the system based on feedback and consultations with the Māori community.

Tuhi presents the Te Tuhi writing system by showing the structure and whakapapa behind the use and design of each symbol. Mahi Tuhi aims to encourage those that want to engage with Māori culture by showing them how they can approach communicating with the Māori community and some of the tikanga and mātauranga required to ensure that one’s engagement is respectful.