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Manawatū-based designer and artist Johnson Witehira (Ngāpuhi, Tamahaki) explains how he chose to visually represent the historical apology of Things to the Maori, part of the project: Our Truth, Tā Mātou Pono.
What are the ideas behind the design?
The concept is really simple. I wanted to show how, through this project, the true essence of Maori life and experience could finally come to the fore in Things journalism.
You can see a hand tearing off a red hei tiki under the weight of racist texts. These texts have appeared in articles associated with Things for the past 160 years or more.
Johnson Witehira / Stuff
Our Truth, designed by Johnson Witehira.
The point for me with this is the focus on the relationship between journalism and how we Maori have been portrayed. I anticipate that some Maori will see this and think, ‘whatever, the media has never put us down or buried us.’
However, I think reading it would be too literal.
Why did you want to participate?
Basically, I wanted to get involved to support Carmen Parahi, The Guardian editor of Things who directs much of this work. I know how lonely and difficult it is to be “the Maori” at work, trying to drive change that somehow you shouldn’t even have to. It is mostly a thankless job.
Worse, there is no right or wrong way to do this kind of transformational change. You are going to make mistakes and you will be criticized by both the Maori and the Pākehā.
However, if the kaupapa is tika, that is all that matters.
The other main reason I wanted to participate is that I am concerned about how, globally, the media tends to polarization.
We need to actively develop our own inclusive and culturally affirming approaches to representation, before those more divisive approaches take hold here.
What do you think about the representation of Maori in the media?
There is still much left to do. Maori continue to be unfairly represented in the media and there is a simple reason why. Many of our major media outlets, including this one, continue to hire and promote people who clearly display racist views. I understand that the fuzzy rules around opinion writing and free speech mean that it’s hard to just kick these people out.
So what do we do? What can the media and news organizations do? Change your culture. Make your workplaces so inclusive and so diverse that it becomes unbearable for fans.
Mark Tantrum / Stuff
M artist ?? ori artist and designer Johnson Witehira.
What do you think this project symbolizes for race relations?
I believe this project represents a significant change for race relations in Aotearoa. Yes Things can they stay true to this kaupapa, they will be signaling to their readers that racism is no longer supported by one of New Zealand’s largest media organizations. That is huge.
What is your background in art and design?
I am an artist, designer and academic. I have my first Ph.D. in Maori visual arts, from Massey University, and have spent over ten years working in the contemporary Maori design space, exploring how we might bring Maori ideas to life through design.
I am also co-director of Aotearoa Indigenous Design and Innovation (IDIA) and Apōpō, a Maori creative tech hub in central Wellington.
