Jean Manu Design
Tiaki
Tiaki, published in 2023, started as a part of my Bachelor of design with Honour’s at Massey University. It’s a shout-out to the weird and wonderful endangered species in Aotearoa, those lesser-known creatures that don’t regularly make the news. But they are just as important as the ‘stars’ like kākāpō and kiwi, for they are the foundation of our unique biodiversity.
Published 2023
Tiaki highlights intriguing animals as the Smeagol gravel maggot, a sea slug found on the south coast of Wellington; the moko kākāriki, a gecko with a bright blue mouth; the kōwaro/Canterbury mudfish, which can survive out of water for up to several months; and the tiny, critically endangered pekapeka-tou-roa/ long-tailed bat.
The book was created with young people in mind as a way to engage our rangatahi with lesser-known wonders that surround us here in Aotearoa.
Tiaki is both written and illustrated by me. Each illustration digitally painted with references to traditional oil painting and sketching.
Tiaki was published by Potton and Burton in 2022 and is available for purchase on the Potton and Burton website.
Purchase Tiaki