The original Institute had been established in 1926 by Sir Āpirana Ngata to combat the impending threat of the loss of traditional Māori arts.

The location of the schools at Whakarewarewa enabled access to the Rotorua tourist market, which has allowed the Institute to operate with financial independence for the majority of its history.

The New Zealand School of Māori Arts and Crafts (Te Ao Marama) was founded in 1926 by Āpirana Ngata,[2] then the Member of Parliament for Eastern Maori which included Rotorua.

The Institute exhibits at events such as Māori Art Market but its teaching and output continue to focus on more traditional items.

The new national school for Jade, Bone & Stone Carving was named as Te Takapū o Rotowhio by local rangatira and kura whakairo graduate, Mauriora Kingi.

The first cohort began with artwork for local businesses before moving on to restoration and replacement of carvings on Māori churches and meeting houses.

[11] An international commemoration of War Dead located at Passchendaele Memorial Park in Zonnebeke, Belgium, the Pou Maumahara is an 8 metre, 17 tonne woodcarving which was carved from a kauri log at NZMACI.

[18] Te Ahi Tūpua stands at 12m high and is the tallest sculpture of its kind and a world first in its 3D printed composite construction.

[19] Te Ahi Tūpua was commissioned as a small part of a $7.6 million restructuring of the Hemo Gorge roundabout near the location of the Institute.

The project was jointly funded by NZTA under their policy of creating art alongside new road works with further support by the Rotorua District Council.

[21] Reanga or intakes are cohorts of 1-4 students selected from a pool of applicants to learn Māori Arts and Crafts on a modest scholarship traditionally funded by tourism.

Board members have included: Robert McFarlane, Ani Waaka, David Thomas, Sir Howard Morrison, Dr Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie, June Grant, Judith Stanway, Ray Watson, Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, Mike Simm, David Tapsell Ken Raureti, Robyn Bargh and Tupara Morrison.