Meet your 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga

02.12.2024

GM Jessica Palalagi, Paora Sharples, His Excellency Dr Richard Davies, 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga Tā Pita Sharples, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Co-Chair Chelsea Winstanley, Trustee Hamish Edgar, Co-Chair Kent Gardner, Kaumātua Joe Harawira — Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi General Manager / Kaiwhakahaere Jessica Palalagi, Paora Sharples, His Excellency Dr Richard Davies, 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga Sir Dr Tā Pita Sharples, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, Co-Chair Chelsea Winstanley, Trustee Hamish Edgar, Co-Chair Kent Gardner, Kaumātua Joe Harawira.

This year, we are delighted to announce the 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga recipients – Tā Pita Sharples KNZM CBE and Neil Finn OBE. These two exceptional artists join a living circle of 20 of New Zealand’s most significant artists, honoured for their extraordinary lifetime achievements and mark on the arts.

Established in 2003, the Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga are the Arts Foundation’s highest honour, recognising the remarkable impact each artist has had on their practice, community, and the cultural landscape of Aotearoa. This year marks a total of 46 artists honoured as Icon Whakamana Hiranga – 20 are living, while 26 have passed on. Each Icon Whakamana Hiranga receives a bronze medallion set with pounamu and a pin designed by sculptor John Edgar. The pin is given to the recipient, while the medallion passes on to a future Icon at the time of their death.

Please join us in celebrating our 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga:

Tā Pita Sharples KNZM CBE

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Te Kikiri o te Rangi and Ngāti Pahauwera

Discipline: Kapa haka, mau rākau

Tā Pita Sharples has dedicated his life to preserving and revitalising Māori culture. Through his leadership, including founding Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa and Te Roopū Manutaki, he has championed the survival of traditional Māori performing arts such as kapa haka and mau rākau. His legacy as an educator, composer, and cultural leader continues to inspire generations.

Get to know Tā Pita Sharples

Neil Finn OBE

Discipline: Music

For over four decades, Neil Finn has captivated audiences with his evolving, winding musical journey – from the artful pop of Split Enz, to leading Crowded House and his solo projects. His work has defined erudite jangle-pop, earning him a devoted global following and taking the sound of Aotearoa New Zealand to the world.

Get to know Neil Finn

The Arts Are Powered By People

We are able to recognise these outstanding artists thanks to the generosity of our Kotahi giving collective, and the extraordinary legacy of the Edgar Family. Special thanks to Corner Store for helping us shine a light on their stories, and to Stuff for getting our artists in front of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Want to be a part of the movement that wholeheartedly believes in the power of the arts? Learn more about how you can make a difference.