Tiana Taiapa's mahi toi was inspired by New Zealand artist Michael Tuffery and other designers.

Tiana used the first letter of her name, “T” and the manaia for her design. The manaia represents Te Pura, the taniwha from the Wairoa River, which is her awa. The points of the letter T have a resemblance to the taniwha's teeth. The colour is like a whakairo carving with a taniwha wrapped around it

Tiana thought it would be good to include patterns from her Marae at Te Puna. Most of this design is based on Tiana's Dad’s Pepeha and the red colour on the taniwha represents the colours of her Mum’s Island, Matakana.