Woven Universe. Tyrone Ohia

Tyrone Ohia (Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāi Te Rangi) is the Founder and Creative Director of Extended Whānau, a Tāmaki Makaurau–based design studio known for not just pushing but for reconfiguring the boundaries of contemporary Māori design and visual communications. His work spans books, exhibitions, campaigns, and large-scale cultural projects, always driven by a commitment to making te ao Māori visible, relevant, and boldly expressive.

To font up! Ohia’s design achievements have been widely recognised: he won the Gerard Reid Award for Best Book for Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, alongside the Best Illustrated Book and Best Typography awards at the 2023 PANZ Book Design Awards. His studio has also received a prestigious Type Directors Club Award for its striking design celebrating architect Rewi Thompson.

Ohia’s leadership continues to shape national conversations, most recently through creative direction for high‑profile cultural initiatives such as Dame Hinewehi Mohi’s Haka campaign.  And most recently, he became the first ever Māori designer to join the ranks of the esteemed Alliance Graphique Internationale, probably the highest global recognition one can achieve as a graphic designer.

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