The first recipients of the toi iho Maori Made Mark, a registered trademark denoting authenticity and quality, have been announced as part of an initiative developed by Te Waka Toi, Creative New Zealand's Maori Arts Board, in collaboration with Maori artists. Toi iho labels, swingtags and stickers are to appear on arts and crafts in New Zealand retail stores from late July 2002, and are aimed at the domestic market and international tourists, providing people with a means of identifying high-quality, authentic Maori art. Elizabeth Ellis, Chair of Te Waka Toi and the mark's Assessment Committee, commented that mark is part of a worldwide trend to distinguish the art of indigenous peoples. 'Maori arts and culture are unique to this country. They are a vital point of difference for New Zealand, and a key purpose of this trademark is to identify and recognise these unique works.' There are two trademark licensing rounds per year, with Te Waka Toi receiving 51 applications in the first round, and a total of 38 artists and 6 licensed stockists becoming the inaugural users of the mark. Among the first 38 Maori artists to be awarded toi iho use are carvers, sculptors, a fashion designer, a furniture designer, weavers, jewellers and multimedia artists. Te Waka Toi has also honoured a number of distinguished Maori artists with the title 'Te Ara Whakarei', which entitles them to honorary use of the mark. The toi iho Maori Co-production Mark for Maori and non-Maori artists has also been awarded for collaborative works across artforms; recognising cross-cultural influences, and the innovation of work that often results from such collaborations. Dramatic Online articles contaning backgroundinformation regarding the toi iho mark and its development are available, as follows: 'Indigenous trademark website launched by Creative NZ' www.dramaticonline.com/do3/news/news.asp?Id=12949 'Maori Made Mark launched' www.dramaticonline.com/do3/news/news.asp?Id=12127