Howdy doody! I'm Maioha. I'm neurodivergent.

I used to be non-verbal as a child. While I didn't speak, I still expressed myself through drawing, and writing.

When I was 7 years old, my teacher told me to grow up and stop drawing pictures. So I stopped, for over 15 yrs.

Until I started working at Waikato-Tainui as a Kairangahau (Researcher). I saw how useful it was to use visual illustrations in our work when collecting data, communicating information, and conveying ideas to our tribal members.

Talking about mana motuhake is great,

But visualising it is even better.

So I started drawing again. I loved it!

My mission now is to challenge traditional ways of communicating, so that everyone can be included.

That's why I started Toi Manako Studio.

Toi + Manako = Aspirational Art.