Māori Design Alphabet Blocks - Education and Play set

These Māori Alphabet blocks were created as a collaborative project between Wellington based creative Dr Johnson Witehira of Tamahaki (Ngāti Hinekura), Ngā Puhi (Ngai-tū-te-auru), Ngāti Haua and Pākehā descent, and Pete Bultman from Michigan-based company, Uncle Goose.

The blocks were developed as part of Dr Witehira’s Doctorate Research into contemporary Māori design practice.

The 24 letter blocks feature the Māori alphabet (with macronised letters) alongside numbers, symbols, poupou figures and tukutuku patterns. The figures can be stacked on one another, and when arranged side-by-side they resemble the arrangement of carved ancestors and tukutuku seen in wharenui.

Made using sustainable basswood. Printed with non-toxic and mouth safe inks, and presented in kraft box, with a fold out booklet explaining the origins of the designs, and the rohe (tribal boundaries) that pertain to that design.

Suitable for age 2 years and over - they look just as good on display in an office, as they do at home in your tamariki's bedroom!

Size: blocks 4.5 x 4.5cm, and the box is 23 x 18 x 4.5cm

This item is designed in New Zealand by a Māori designer, and made offshore