Watch NZH Local Focus: Tino Rangatiratanga flag co-creator on what drives her

Linda Munn was interested in art from a young age.

"I started life as a sculptor, carving - I love whakairo, kōhatu - stone, clay is my number one love I always say. Then I had a tutu with drawing, you have to know how to draw to really design anything."

Ms Munn is perhaps best known as one of three women who helped to create the Tino Rangatiratanga flag.

But she says that isn't all there is to her. She's also a passionate activist.

"Family, whakapapa, tikanga, Te Ao Māori, but what's happening in our own communities at the moment. Sometimes I get really angry and decide I'll make a piece. Like with 'No Token Brown Girl'."

Ms Munn says she always fights for what she believes in.

"I think it's more about what we do on the ground, in our own lives, within the arts and community work that we do. I think it's a whole holistic thing, because it does all come out in the art."

Ms Munn has worked with young, emerging artists in recent years. She isn't someone who is known to mince words.

"I can be a bit of a sooky, but then I can take you out the next time I see you."

Her works have seen her accepted for a trip to the United States later this year, where she will be based at Olympia University in Seattle, Washington.

"It's just eight days of art-making, networking and we participate in an exhibition. We were asked whether we would donate a work to leave there. I always say yes, because it is such a long way, whatever we make will probably stay there."

Ms Munn says she currently has art for sale that will help fund her trip stateside.

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