Tame Iti is a Māori artist, activist, and cultural leader who has made significant contributions to the recognition and preservation of Māori culture, language, and land rights here in Aotearoa.
One of the most significant contributions Tame has made was his involvement in the Māori Land Rights movement during the 1970s and 1980s. He was one of the key leaders of the group Ngā Tamatoa, which
fought for Māori land rights, language, and cultural recognition.
Tame was instrumental in organizing the historic hīkoi (protest march) to Parliament in 1975,
which helped raise awareness of Māori land rights issues and led to the establishment of the
Waitangi Tribunal.
As an artist, Tame has also made important contributions to the recognition and preservation of
Māori culture. He is known for his innovative and boundary-pushing contemporary art, which
often incorporates Māori symbols and motifs. His art has been exhibited in galleries and
museums around the world and has helped to raise the profile of Māori art and culture on the
global stage.
In recent years, Tame has been involved in efforts to promote reconciliation between Māori and
non-Māori in Aotearoa. He has worked to encourage understanding and dialogue between
different cultures, and has been a strong advocate for the recognition of Te Reo Māori and
tikanga in the education system here in Aotearoa.
Tame and his contribution to Te Reo and land rights have been significant and far-reaching, and
he is widely recognised as a leader and champion of Māori rights and identity.