Designing Stories of Place, Identity and Connection
Contemporary Māori Design Grounded in Story
Moko-ia Creative is the design practice of Henriata Nicholas, a Māori artist and designer based in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through surface pattern design, spatial storytelling and cultural collaboration, the studio creates work that connects people to place, identity and heritage.
Drawing upon mātauranga Māori, whakapapa and the natural environment, each collection translates narrative into contemporary visual form.
From textiles and wallcoverings to exhibitions, public art and architectural integration, Moko-ia Creative partners with organisations, communities and design professionals to create meaningful visual experiences.
What We Do
Designing contemporary cultural experiences across surface, object and environment.
Surface Pattern Design
Custom and licensed surface pattern collections for textiles, wallpaper, interiors and commercial applications.
Applied Art & Product Design
Creating culturally grounded design systems that translate across products, collections and built environments.
Spacial & Environmental Design
Integrating visual narratives into interior, exhibitions and architectural environments.
From concept to environment
We collaborate with architects, designers, cultural organisations and communities to create meaningful visual experiences ground in place and identity.
Featured Projects
Contemporary cultural design grounded in identity, narrative and place.
Design Collections
Thoughtfully developed pattern familes inspired by kaupapa Māori, architecture and the natural environment.
Koruru | Ancestral Forms
Honouring Tūpuna Through Contemporary Māori Pattern Design
Coastal | Marine Textures
An exploration of connection to the moana (ocean)
Taaniko| Woven Geometry
Contemporary interpretation of Māori Taaniko hand woven patterns.
Koruru | Ancestral Forms
Honouring Tūpuna Through Contemporary Māori Pattern Design
Clematis | Childhood Memories
Botanical patterns infused with texture and story
Check out the Spoonflower Shop
Coastal | Marine Textures
An exploration of connection to the moana (ocean)
Read the Story Behind the Pattern
Tūi & Mānuka | Native Story Collection
Explore the flora and fauna of Atoearoa
Follow on Instagram @mokoiacreative or Shop these designs on Spoonflower
DESIGN
Open Space Art
Our unique integrative design experience stems from a depth of expertise in public art fabrication, capability to be creative with a combination of materials, and an understanding of appropriate iwi cultural integration.
We bring the right combination of skills to curate amazing outcomes that sit well with the whenua of any project we we take on.
Create
Made by hand
We like to make things that are inspired by our lived experiences and what makes an impact on our wairua. We choose to work with a myriad of materials from stone, found objects, to digital illustration and surface pattern design. This often expands ideas beyond the studio into new opportunities and creative conversations.
Collaborate
Tino Rangatiratanga
Self Determination is why I am passionate about this form of art.
Uhi Tā Moko is the physical action of pushing ink into the skin with hand made tools. The ink accentuates the patterns as the visual story of your life inspiration.
The patterns and skin are a play on negative and positive space.
Recent Projects
Civic Building
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Environmental
Otara Creek Bridge
Blog
Ngā aho o te Taiao
NGĀ AHO O TE TAIAO | THREADS OF THE NATURAL WORLD Matariki Collection The designs draw inspiration from memories of helping my mother create tukutuku panels. Much of my childhood was spent around weaving, harvesting materials, preparing fibres, and watching stories...
Matariki Collection
Ngā Aho o te Taiao - Thread of the Natural World JUST ANOTHER AWESOME CREATIVE JOURNEY Kia ora and welcome to the Matariki Collection. As the seven stars of Matariki rise in the winter sky, we enter a time of reflection, remembrance, gratitude, and new beginnings....
Reflections
Finding Balance in Uncertain Times: Honouring Hauora, Creativity, and Connection JUST ANOTHER AWESOME CREATIVE JOURNEY A personal reflection on navigating overwhelm, honouring hauora, and finding balance through connection, creativity, and nature-inspired healing....
To get in touch send an email to contact@moko-iacreative.co.nz