MAXXIS; KEEPING KIWIS ROLLING SINCE AGES AGO.

New Zealand's first shipment of Maxxis Tyres landed on our shores back when we were operating out of a small corner store in the 1960’s.

We’re proud to have been distributing Maxxis here in New Zealand ever since - paving the way for Kiwi riders of all disciplines to enjoy what New Zealand trails have to offer.

However, the connection of Maxxis to New Zealand probably made it’s most significant mark globally, in 2019 - in the form of the Taiaha campaign - the release of a limited edition Maxxis tyre consisting of custom-designed artwork commissioned by talented Maori cultural artist, Jacob Tautari.

 Jacob (who at the time worked for Te Puia, Rotorua), was tasked with designing this unique collaborative piece to symbolise the strength and story of Maxxis being the weapon of choice for New Zealander’s here in Aotearoa.

“In the same way as the design of a tā moko, or Māori tattoo, is used to tell an individual story, the design for the Taiaha tyre portrays its own unique tale. Inspired by the concept of “ripping up the trails”, the curved design on the tyre itself represents a distorted line, representing the movement and curves of a trail, while the niho, or Taniwha teeth (represented by the arrow-like design) pay tribute to the snarling tread of the tyre. A unique mudguard has also been developed and features pūhoro representing movement and speed – a design often seen on canoes.”
- Excerpt from original Taiaha Press Release, 2019.

Tautari says “The Maxxis Taiaha is another unique way to share Māori culture with the world.”

And so with Jacob’s blessing - we have continued to use this meaningful artwork within the Maxxis brand presence here in New Zealand, linking the relationship between rubber, rider and Aotearoa trails. 

You’ll catch glimpses of Jacobs artwork alongside Maxxis here in New Zealand - honoring the past, the connection of Maxxis to Aotearoa and looking toward the future. 

We’re stoked to be bringing New Zealander’s their tyre of choice.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST:

About Artist Jacob Tautari. With a background in tā moko, Jacob Tautari first became involved with the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute as a carving student five years ago. The first in his family to be involved in Māori arts, Jacob says he was drawn to tā moko in his teens, a passion which intensified after he studied carving. He found a noticeable link between his tā moko background and carving, and now draws on both skills as one of two artists at NZMACI’s tā moko studio Te Whare Toto Ariki, based at Rotorua’s Te Puia. A descendant of Ngāti Hine, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngāi Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāi Te Rangi, Jacob has travelled extensively overseas to showcase both his carving and tā moko skills as part of NZMACI’s Tuku Iho | Living Legacy exhibition.