Toi Māori Aotearoa was established in 1996 to support the work of eight national Māori art form committees and create opportunities for Māori artists to come together and give full expression to Māori art and culture.

The eight Committee Chairs were the settlors of Toi Māori Aotearoa and the Chairs continue to nominate and elect Trustees to the Board of Toi Māori Aotearoa.