The six Māori doodles on the Google homepage to celebrate Waitangi Day.
The six Māori doodles on the Google homepage to celebrate Waitangi Day.
Jordan Tuhara’s Google Doodle for Waitangi Day features figures symbolising rangatiratanga and partnership.
The design includes pou representing Māori tribes, highlighting kaitiakitanga and the communal approach of Māori values.
Google said the Doodle marks Waitangi Day’s significance, expecting high engagement from Kiwis.
Māori artist Jordan Tuhara hopes his Māori Doodle for global search engine giant Google will leave more than just a one-day Waitangi Day impression.
This morning at 12.01 Google released its Waitangi Day Māori Doodle to celebrate New Zealand’s national day.
The Waitangi Day Doodle will be visible on the Google homepage to audiences in New Zealand and be visible on the Doodle website, which is available globally for anyone to see and learn about.
At the centre of the Doodle are two pou representing Māori and the British Crown.
Tuhara said together, they symbolise rangatiratanga (leadership) and partnership. They are performing a hongi – a traditional Māori greeting - that signifies the sharing of the breath of life. The Māori leader wears a korowai (cloak) and a mataora (face tattoo) to reflect his high status.
Artist Jordan Tuhara's work features as the Google Doodle.
Flanking these figures are four pou (carved figures) representing ngā iwi Māori (the tribes of the Māori people). They stand as guardians, embodying kaitiakitanga – protection of our country, our identity, and our whenua (land).
The two pou positioned furthest from each other each hold a mere (club) made of pounamu (greenstone), representing taonga (treasures). The two figures between them reaffirm the themes of tradition and protection.
“I am honoured to have been entrusted with creating a Google Doodle for Waitangi Day 2025. This day commemorates the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) in 1840, 185 years ago,” Tuhara told the Herald.
He said the inspiration for the pou whenua came from his artistic cultural talent that was nurtured by his dad.
Totem poles by native cultures, like the Māori pou tell their own histories.
In Māori culture, pou whenua are intricately carved land posts placed into the whenua (land) to mark territorial boundaries or sites of importance. Similar to the totem poles carved by other indigenous cultures, their designs reflect history, whakapapa (genealogy), and cultural identity. They also reaffirm the sacred connection between Māori and the whenua (land) as well as the Māori as kaitiaki (guardian) of the taiao (environment), Tuhara said.
“My design features six pou, one representing Pākehā and the other five Māori. I have done this intentionally to show the different worldviews of the two peoples,” he said.
“The single pou reflects a focus on individualism and personal autonomy, while the other pou represent whānau (family) and collective wellbeing, illustrating the communal approach central to Māori values.
“This contrast underscores the differing perspectives: Pākehā often emphasise individual rights, whereas Māori prioritise decision-making for the collective good. While these differences can lead to conflict, I believe they also contribute to our strength as a nation, bringing together different perspectives that shape our identity as a nation.
“The inspiration for my doodle draws from the intention of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the vision our ancestors had for Aotearoa when the treaty was signed.”
Tuhara said his dad ignited the cultural flame within him.
The 2023 Google Doodle.
“My dad was the one who truly ignited my passion for creating art. One of his favourite artists was Frank Frazea, an amazing American fantasy artist whose work appeared in many books at our house,” he said.
“Much of my dad’s artwork was inspired by Frazea, yet it also incorporated Māori concepts that told stories of our tipuna (ancestors).
“As a child, our family moved away from our wider whānau on the East Coast, which weakened my connection to Māori culture. Art has been the thread that reconnected me to my Māoritanga. While some Māori rediscover that connection through kapa haka, mau rakau, diving, or hunting, I found mine through art and creativity.
“Māori art is beautiful to me because it draws from the ancient knowledge passed down by our tipuna (ancestors). Their wisdom is so vast that the more I learn, the more I realise how much I don’t know – a realisation that is both humbling and exciting for someone who loves learning.
“I find joy in embedding a lot of thought and depth into my art. I want it to convey a compelling story and evoke selected emotions in those who experience it.”
Caroline Rainsford, country director, Google New Zealand, said thousands would see Tuhara’s doodle.
“This year’s Doodle beautifully marks that occasion. Due to the emotional connection Kiwis have with Waitangi Day, combined with the artistry and cultural significance of this particular Doodle, we expect high engagement,” Rainsford said.
“Based on previous Waitangi Day Doodles, we anticipate significant interest from Kiwis across the country, who appreciate and celebrate this important day.”
Google has been celebrating Māori doodles since 2018.
“Each one a unique artistic interpretation of what Waitangi Day or the Treaty of Waitangi represents. This year’s Doodle continues that tradition by focusing on the themes of leadership and partnership,” she said.
“Feedback on the Waitangi Day Doodle has been positive. People appreciate the recognition of this significant day and the effort to showcase Māori culture. We know that conversations around the Treaty of Waitangi can be complex, but today’s Doodle chooses to focus on the shared future it represents, and the coming together of different cultures.”
