Te Waka Toi awards
The Te Waka Toi awards are the premier awards in the field of ngā toi Māori. They have been awarded by Creative New Zealand and predecessors since 1986. There are seven types of award including Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Ngā Tohu ā Tā Kingi Ihaka which recognises the recipient's lifetime contribution to Māori arts and Te Tohu Toi Kē a Te Waka Toi.
| Year | Awardee | Affiliation |
| 1986 | Te Aue Davis | Ngati Maniapoto |
| 1987 | Irirangi Tiakiawa | Te Arawa |
| 1988 | Ngapo Wehi | Whakatohea |
| 1989 | Momoe Malietoa Von Reich | Samoa |
| 1990 | Selwyn Murupaenga | Ngati Kuri |
| 1991 | Hone Tuwhare | Nga Puhi |
| 1992 | Jim Moriarty | Ngati Koata |
| 1993 | Nathanial Lees | Samoa |
| 1994 | Rangimarie Hetet | Ngati Maniapoto |
| 1995 | Huirangi Waikerepuru | Ngati Ruanui |
| 1996 | Hekenukumai Busby | Nga Puhi |
| 1997 | Hinemoa and Pakariki Harrison | NgatiPorou |
| 1998 | Jack Wihongi | Nga Puhi |
| 2000 | Rawinia & Tokorua Te Kani | Ngati Porou |
| 2001 | Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira | Ngati Porou |
| 2002 | Hirini Melbourne | Ngai Tuhoe |
| 2003 | Cliff Whiting | Whānau a Apanui |
| 2004 | Te Ataairangikaahu | Tainui |
| 2005 | Don Selwyn | Ngāti Kuri / Te Aupōuri |
| 2006 | Diggeress Te Kanawa | Ngāti Maniapoto / Ngāti Kinohaku |
| 2007 | Howard Morrison | Te Arawa |
| 2008 | Iritana Tawhiwhirangi | Ngāti Porou |
| 2009 | Witi Ihimaera | Te Aitanga a Mahaki Whānau a Kai |
| 2010 | Kiri Te Kanawa | Ngāti Porou |
| 2011 | Sidney Moko Mead | Ngāti Awa |
| 2012 | Tīmoti Kāretu | Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe |
| 2013 | Darcy Nicholas | Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Ruanui, Tauranga Moana |
| 2014 | Sandy Adsett | Ngāti Pahauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu |
| 2015 | Matekino Lawless | Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whawhakia |
| 2016 | Patricia Grace | Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa |
| 2017 | Fred Graham | Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Tainui |
| 2018 | Marilynn Webb | Ngāti Kahu, Te Roroa |