Sir Derek Lardelli (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) is regarded as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s pre-eminent Maori Artists.
A leader in the revival of tā moko, he is also a kapahaka exponent, composer, designer, keeper of oral and written histories and an exceptional orator. He composed the All Blacks haka Kapa O Pango. Based in Gisborne, as Professor Ahorangi at Toihoukura, School of Māori Visual Arts he has championed successful outcomes using Māori learning principles. In 2004 he received a NZ Arts Foundation Laureate, and amongst other awards and distinctions, Sir Derek was Knighted in 2020 for services to Māori Arts.
