Tātai – A Whakapapa Glyph System

Tātai – A Whakapapa Glyph System is a design research project exploring new ways to visually represent whānau (family), whenua (land), and whakapapa (genealogies).

Many Māori whānau today carry different surnames due to colonial naming systems and whakapapa lines that pass through wāhine (female) lines, which in many case – make it difficult to stand behind a collective identity – especially if it's Pākehā. 

This project develops a glyph-based type system inspired by te ao Māori that allows whānau connections to be expressed through symbolic forms rather than a single surname or Tūpuna (ancestors). The project will culminate in a whānau gathering, wearable glyph designs, and a public exhibition that shares this exploration of identity, language, and belonging.

Ko wai au?
Ko Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga te iwi
Ko Ngāti Tukorehe, Ko Ngāti Ngarongo ngā hapū
Nō Horowhenua-Kāpiti ahau
Ko Te Hana Goodyer tōku ingoa.

My background
I am a creative professional with a decade of industry experience – now focusing on working at the intersection of design, typography, cultural identity, and storytelling. Recently I founded TAIDES, a Māori-led design practice that explores how design can communicate whakapapa and strengthen connections between people, language, and whenua. 

Who's involved
This project is led by me as part of my design research practice exploring typography, identity, and whakapapa. Having Tātai funded is an opportunity to both fund a project I care about, support my whānau and showcase my creative ability under my own practice.

Whānau Involvement
The project is grounded in my own whānau history. My whakapapa Māori comes through a female line, which means many members of my extended whānau carry different Pākehā & Māori surnames. Through this project I am exploring how design can create new ways to represent shared identity while acknowledging the individuality of each whānau line. 

My wider whānau support the kaupapa and will take part in the gathering that forms part of the project.

If successfully funded, the project will hope to result in:

• Typeface – A glyph type system
• Artwork – A large sculptural glyph
• Wearable – Whānau glyph designs for a whānau gathering
• Giveaways – Small 3D printed glyph taonga
• Exhibit – A public exhibition sharing the design and kaupapa

What does Tātai mean?
It means to recite your whakapapa, generally refer linage, or line of ancestory.

Develop of graphical typeform system 
With Tātai, I will explores the creation of a graphical typeform system inspired by te ao Māori. The project will develop a full A–Z Latin alphabet with particular focus on the 13 Māori glyphs including macrons.

Function of this typeface
Rather than functioning as a commercial typeface, the glyphs act as tohu of whakapapa — similar to a pou or tokotoko. At a large scale they become objects of pride and identity, while at a smaller scale they can express connection to whenua and tūpuna.

For example
Within my own whakapapa (much like others) there are multiple Pākehā surnames & whānau Tūpuna names. Instead of combining these into a single identity, the glyph system allows each to exist as markers that acknowledge the presence of each whakapapa line.

Design used to positively uplift whānau.

As time passes, whānau continue to grow, evolve, and move all throughout Aotearoa and abroad. Therefore dinding ways to reconnect with one another, and to feel proud and positive about who we are, becomes increasingly important. Through design, this project aims to create forms that celebrate identity and strengthen the connections that bind whānau together.

A modern and accessible method to honour whakapapa.

By creating a glyph system that can recognise multiple whānau lines and connection to whenua this project explores a modern design approach that acknowledges and respects whakapapa. It proposes a way to visually represent shared connection while honouring the individuality and connection to one’s whānau whakapapa.

Reaffirm self-belonging, foster connection and instil pride.

Tātai enables an opportunity for whānau together through a gathering and creates physical forms that express these relationships. Through the exhibition, the project also invites a wider community to engage with ideas of identity, language, and belonging, encouraging pride in whakapapa and connection to whenua.