Monni Jansen on her Art Practice 'Te Maunga'

As a Māori artist, my connection to the land runs deep. The whenua (land) is more than just our surroundings—it is part of us. It holds our stories, our roots, our wellbeing. 

The idea of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and care for the natural world) has always resonated with me, but it wasn’t until I caught myself rinsing acrylic paint down the sink that something clicked: If I wouldn’t drink this, why would I return it to the earth? That question marked a turning point. From that moment on, I began creating my own pigments from sustainably foraged plant matter—colours born of the land itself.

I now work mainly with these natural pigments and Indian ink, in a contemporary style that mirrors the textures and tones of the natural world. This process feels slower, more respectful, and more intuitive. Nature is always speaking, always offering inspiration. Whether I’m at the beach, in the forest, or simply observing the change in season, I find endless guidance in the subtlety of its colour palette—earthy browns, windswept greys, pale greens, the soft wash of salt-stained driftwood. These hues influence my paintings, and they flow into the colours of my clothing collections too.

At the heart of my work is a desire to live in harmony with nature and its rhythms. In te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), we believe in the importance of mauri (life force), tika (right action), manaaki (care and generosity), and aroha (love). These values guide me not just in my creative process, but in how I live, and in the kaupapa (purpose) behind Tea & Tonic.

We can’t have healthy people without a healthy planet. Our own wellbeing—our hauora (health of body, mind, spirit, and whānau)—is deeply tied to the land, to the water, to the balance of giving and receiving. When we take too much, things fall out of alignment. But when we give back, tread lightly, and stay connected to the whenua, we restore balance—not only in the world around us, but within ourselves too.

My art is my offering. A reflection of this connection. A way to honour the land, and to gently remind us all that beauty doesn’t need to come at the cost of the earth—it can be part of its healing.

By 
Monni Jansen