Māori-besque: A study in cross-cultural design and hyphenated identities in Aotearoa New Zealand

<p><strong>This practice-led research investigates how the concept of Māori-besque reflects the researcher’s hyphenated identity (Arab-Kiwi) and contributes to a new way of thinking about cross-cultural design in Aotearoa New Zealand. Māori-besque is inspired by the confluence of Māori, Islamic and Arabic artistic expressions, particularly their patterns and motifs. Rooted in a diasporic perspective, this research examines how creative and cultural hybridity manifests in design. An in-depth exploration of these art forms and their spiritual connotations informed three self-reflective and reflexive design experiments: The Matariki Lamp, the Manawa design, and the Intertwined exhibition. The research employs a combination of practice-led, cross-cultural, and autoethnographic methodologies. To further examine the research questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Māori and Muslim designers and artists, as well as a survey. The central inquiry asks: How does a hyphenated identity within the diaspora shape cross-cultural design in Aotearoa New Zealand? What is the in-between space between Māori and both Islamic and Arabic artistic expressions?</strong></p><p>This research is theoretically grounded in postcolonial thought, particularly Homi Bhabha’s concepts of “third space”, “in-betweenness”, and “hybridity” (1994). On the practical side, it draws on Donald Schön’s theory of reflective practice (1983) to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the field of design.</p><p>Key findings present themes and guidelines for cross-cultural design, with a focus on co-design between Māori and Islamic, as well as Māori and Arabic cultures. These insights emphasise manaakitanga (respect), cultural appropriation, collaboration, and the ongoing tensions of colonialism and re-indigenisation.</p><p>This research contributes to the broader discourse on cross-cultural design by offering new perspectives on hybridity, cultural identity, and ethical co-design practices within multicultural and diasporic societies. By bridging Indigenous and diasporic artistic traditions, this research provides a framework for designers and artists navigating cultural intersections in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.</p>