Peggy Oki is a skateboarder, surfer, artist, activist, adventurous spirit, and so much more. She was the only female member of the Zephyr skateboard team in the 1970’s (featured in the documentary “Dogtown & Z-Boys”).
Beyond skateboarding and surfing, Peggy is an artist, educator, environmental activist, public speaker, rock climber, and world traveller. She has been an advocate for cetacean rights and protections for 40+ years.
Peggy founded “Origami Whales Project” in 2004 and welcomed global public participation (of all ages) to participate in creating environmental art installations to raise awareness about threats to cetaceans across the world. Peggy has shared her passions and activism through public speaking for years.
When did you take an interest in the Maui Dolphin and what encouraged you to get involved?
Over 20 years ago I first learned about the Māui at an event at the Town Hall. Upon becoming aware of how endangered the Māui Dolphin was, I felt I needed to help in whatever way I could.
Since that day, I have volunteered to coordinate art actions to raise awareness and be a voice for popoto. Whenever open for submissions, we send postcards and messages including our now over 9,600 ‘Let’s Face It’ Visual Petitions* to the NZ government.
How do you hope your art helps the cause?
Art can be a universal language, visually drawing viewers and communicating our concerns.
How did the community get involved ?
Included are 55 Māui Dolphins drawn on the origami to represent the estimated remaining population of individuals of age 1 year or older. Messages have been written on some along with the wish that Popoto will be saved from extinction and in the future to thrive as they did over 5 decades ago.
The ‘Entanglement of Māui’ piece is now complete, and I invite all interested to take a look.
What do you love about the time you spend in Whāingaroa?
I love the community, environmental and arts especially, the native birds, and the summers in Whāingaroa.
