You have decided you want Māori art on your wall. Good call. But now you are staring at a browser full of options - some beautiful, some generic, some that feel a bit off - and you are not quite sure how to choose.
This guide is here to help. Whether you are Māori yourself, you have whānau connections, or you simply feel drawn to art that carries the weight of Aotearoa’s culture and history - here is what to consider before you buy.
1. What actually makes a Māori art print authentic?
This is the question worth starting with. ‘Māori-inspired’ and ‘Māori art’ are not always the same thing - and the difference matters.
Genuine Māori art draws on te ao Māori - the Māori worldview - with an understanding of the stories, symbols, and values being depicted. It is not just a kōru on a white background or a tiki floating in a generic layout. Authentic work tends to have depth: a specific story behind it, deliberate use of symbolism, and a creator who has a real connection to what they are representing.
When you are buying, it is worth asking: Does this print have a story? Does the artist explain what it means? Is there a lineage of meaning behind the imagery? If the answer is yes, you are on the right track.
2. Limited Edition vs Open Edition - what’s the difference?
Most art prints fall into one of two categories: Open Edition (printed on demand, available indefinitely) or Limited Edition (a fixed number produced, then the edition closes permanently).
Limited Edition prints carry more value - both financially and emotionally. They are rarer, produced to a higher standard, and owning one means having something not everyone can have. If you are buying Māori art as an investment or a meaningful gift, Limited Editions are worth the extra consideration.
Open edition prints serve a different purpose - they make beautiful work accessible. If you love a piece and want to live with it on your wall, an open edition print does that job beautifully.
3. How to choose the right size (most people go too small)
This is the most common mistake when buying art prints online. People see a beautiful image on a screen, imagine it on their wall, and order something that turns out to be far too small.
A general rule: if you are filling a main wall in a living room or bedroom, go bigger than you think. Art that commands a wall makes a statement. Art that is too small just looks like it got lost.
Measure your wall before you order. Consider ceiling height, the furniture below the space, and how much breathing room you want around the print. When in doubt, use our Sizing Guide - or Upload a photo of your wall (we'll digitally place your preferred art print for you to view)
4. Framed or Unframed - which should you choose?
Both have their place. Unframed prints give you flexibility - you can choose your own frame to suit your existing décor, and they are easier to transport. Framed prints are ready to hang the moment they arrive, which most people find worth the extra cost.
If you are buying as a gift, a framed option removes the guesswork for the recipient. If you are buying for yourself and already have a specific frame style in mind, unframed gives you full control.
Either way, buying pre-framed ensures quality framing and less handling of the print, also gives you the option to customise if you need a certain size to fit a space and other options like a mat board addition for a more professional look or UV-protective glass if you're placing the artwork is a sun exposed space. Cheap frames will fade your print over time - and a great print deserves better than that.
5. What to look for in a NZ art print retailer
A few things worth checking before you buy:
Print quality: Are they printing on art paper, which is generally 230gsm or more, are they using archival inks for print quality and longevity? The difference between a print that lasts 10 years and one that lasts 100 years comes down to materials.
Transparency: Does the retailer tell you who made the art and what the story behind it is? Transparency is usually a sign of quality and care.
Sizing support: Is there a sizing guide? Can I get a visual of what it might look like? A good retailer makes it easy to buy with confidence.
NZ-made: If supporting local matters to you - and for many buyers of Māori art, it does - check where the prints are designed and printed. ‘Designed in NZ’ and ‘printed in NZ’ are not always the same claim. Find out about the seller, what is their background? Head to their story or "About us" page.
6. Choosing Māori art as a gift
A well-chosen Māori art print is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give someone with a connection to Aotearoa. A few thoughts on getting it right:
Choose something with a story they can tell. When someone asks about the print on their wall, the best answer is not ‘I just liked it’ - it is ‘this is what it means.’ Look for prints that come with the story behind them.
Consider the space it will hang in. A bold large-scale portrait works in a living room. Something more subtle suits a bedroom or hallway. If you are not sure of the space, a gift voucher is always the right size.
Think about meaning over style. The most treasured art gifts are not the most stylish - they are the ones that resonate. A print that speaks to someone’s whakapapa, their home region, or a value they hold will outlast any trend.
Where to start
If you are new to Willa Black Prints, start with our Best Sellers - these are the works people return to again and again, for good reason. From there, the Māori Art collection and our Limited Editions are worth exploring if you want something with real depth and rarity.
If you have a question about a specific print, sizing, or whether something is right for your space - just ask. We are a small team and we genuinely love talking about this.
