Māori Trophies for schools
It was an honour to organise these beautiful Māori trophies for a school in Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island of New Zealand. Trophies that are meaningful and thoughtful.
The teacher in Christchurch, used the definitions on our website to help choose the most suitable design for each award. They considered
each award's purpose and the key behaviours it recognised, selecting designs that best reflected those qualities.
The whakataukī (Māori proverbs) also helped guide their choices, with each chosen value engraved onto its
corresponding plaque.
Māori Cultural Trophies
The result is a beautiful collection of seven Māori trophies, each thoughtfully matched to a school value, an award category and a whakataukī (Māori proverb).
The selection began with the definitions of our Māori Cultural trophies on our Aotearoa.co.nz website. From there, the school considered the purpose of each award and the behaviours it wanted to recognise in its tamariki. A simple question helped guide each choice: What are we really celebrating with this award?
The carvings and whakataukī were then chosen to reflect those qualities, with each proverb engraved onto its corresponding plaque. Together, they created a collection with meaning at its heart — connecting each award to the student it celebrates.
Here is the full collection and the thinking behind each choice.
1. Whanaungatanga — Athlete of the Year
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The trophy: Toki (adze) with a double koru design The value:
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“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.”
My strength is not the strength of one, but the strength of many.
Rather than focusing solely on individual sporting achievement, this award celebrates the student who helps the whole team succeed.
The school looked for good sportsmanship, teamwork, encouraging words and a willingness to give things a go. It recognises the athlete who approaches challenges with a growth mindset and supports others along the way.
For this award, the school chose the toki with a double koru design, connecting strength and determination with the relationships that make a team stronger. The whakataukī reinforces that shared success.
2. Mōhiotanga — Innovative Thinking Award
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The trophy: Koru The value:
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“Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.”
With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.
Curiosity, thoughtful questions and a willingness to explore new ideas sit at the heart of this award.
It celebrates active listeners who contribute to class discussions, think deeply and use their learning to benefit others. An enthusiasm for STEM, demonstrated through activities such as EPro8, Lego or Spike Robotics, or Children’s University, may be one way these qualities shine.
The koru’s unfurling form offers a fitting connection to growth and fresh thinking. Paired with this whakataukī, the award recognises not only individual ideas but also what becomes possible when everyone contributes.
3. Kotahitanga — Integrity Award
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The trophy: Koru Spiral The value:
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“Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti te mahi.”
By black and red working together, the work will be done.
This award recognises students who do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
The school looked for honesty, accountability and consistency, alongside the courage to stand up for others. These are students whose actions build trust and help bring people together.
The school paired the Koru Spiral with this award to reflect that sense of unity. The whakataukī adds a reminder that working together depends on everyone playing their part.
4. Manaakitanga — Kindness Cup
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The trophy: Roimata (teardrop) Drop
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“He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai.”
If kindness is planted, kindness will grow.
The Kindness Cup celebrates the everyday actions that make a school a more welcoming place.
It recognises the child who notices when someone feels sad or left out and offers support. Someone who helps others feel valued and included, cares for shared spaces and shows consideration through their words and actions.
The school chose the roimata for its connection with empathy and comfort. Together with the whakataukī, it offers a gentle reminder that the care we show can encourage kindness in others.
5. Mana Tangata — Connected Citizen Award
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The trophy: Waka Stern
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“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.”
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
Some students have a wonderful ability to help others feel that they belong. This award celebrates those connections.
It recognises tamariki who guide others with care, show aroha and understanding, and help their peers grow in confidence. Through their actions, they strengthen the school community and demonstrate the value of working alongside others.
The waka stern was selected to reflect the school’s emphasis on leadership, connection and a shared journey. The whakataukī places people at the centre of that purpose.
6. Mana Motuhake — Academic Excellence
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The trophy: Patu
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“Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei.”
Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.
For this school, academic excellence means more than achieving high marks. It also means taking responsibility for learning.
This award recognises consistent achievement across the curriculum, genuine engagement, self-motivation and determination. It also values knowing when to ask for help — an important part of becoming an independent learner.
The patu was chosen to reflect strength, authority and the determination to pursue a goal. Its accompanying whakataukī encourages students to aim high and keep working towards what matters to them.
7. Rangatiratanga — The Silvern Cup (Overall Award)
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The trophy:
Large Fishhook — at 435 mm, the largest trophy in the collection
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“Hāpaitia te ara tika pūmau ai te rangatiratanga mō ngā uri whakatipu.”
Foster the right pathway so that leadership endures for the generations to come.
The school’s overall award brings all these qualities together.
It celebrates a student who gives their best, perseveres through challenges and sees mistakes as opportunities to learn. They show kindness and empathy to peers and visitors alike, model the school’s values and encourage others to do their best.
As the school’s manager described it, this is the child who makes teachers think, “This is what loving school looks like.”
The large hei matau (fishhook) was chosen for its associations with strength, prosperity and safe passage. Paired with a whakataukī focused on leadership and future generations, it creates a meaningful centrepiece for the school’s highest honour.
More than a trophy
What makes this collection special is the thought behind every choice.
Each carving, school value and engraved whakataukī works together to express what the award celebrates. The result is more than a collection of prizes: it is a lasting reminder of the qualities the school values in its tamariki — from kindness and curiosity to teamwork, determination and leadership.
For a kura or any organisation planning its own awards, this collection offers a thoughtful starting point: begin with your values, identify the actions and behaviours you want to recognise, and choose Maori designs and words that reflect that purpose.
With thanks to Bridget M. - Christchurch
Direct link to our Maori Cultural Trophies >>