Created by
Daniel
Ka Whiti te Ao i te Poo by dda_toi in Upper Hutt
Ka Whiti te Ao i te Poo
Ka Whiti te Ao i te Pō
The Light Shines Forth from the Night
This print is inspired by the kōrero of Tāwhaki and the destruction of the Ponaturi — creatures of the sea who came ashore at night, bringing violence and fear.
After the death of his father Hema and the capture of his mother Urutonga, Tāwhaki and his teina Karihi journey to Manawatāne, the hidden home of the Ponaturi. Guided by knowledge, karakia, and patience, they wait for the moment when darkness gives way to light.
When Tamanuiterā rises, daylight floods Manawatāne — and the Ponaturi are destroyed.
This work speaks to the enduring power of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and resolve in the face of loss.
Illustrated traditionally with ink then scanned for digital colours.
Meet the Artist
Meet the Artist
Upper Hutt, New ZealandI’m a visual storyteller and illustrator based in Aotearoa, creating artwork inspired by pūrākau Māori, history, and imaginative world-building grounded in mātauranga Māori.
My work sits somewhere between traditional storytelling and contemporary concept art. I love designing characters, scenes, and moments that feel like they belong to a larger living world — whether that’s illustrating atua and tīpuna stories, developing original fantasy ideas, painting murals, or creating artwork for books, education, or community spaces.
I work mainly in ink illustration with digital colour, as well as acrylic painting and large-scale mural work. A big influence on my style is 90s comic art, and I enjoy combining that bold graphic energy with kaupapa Māori narratives and symbolism.
What inspires me most is bringing stories to life in a way that feels powerful, respectful, and accessible. I’m especially passionate about creating artwork that helps people connect with identity, language, history, and imagination. I also love collaborating with clients to shape their ideas into something meaningful and visually striking.
Whether it’s a commissioned illustration, mural concept, book artwork, or something unique you’ve been thinking about for a while — I enjoy the process of turning ideas into images that carry story and presence.
If you’ve got something in mind, I’d love to hear about it 🙂
More artwork by Daniel
