Māori Indigenous livery for Wood Supra unveiled

Walkinshaw TWG Racing has leaned into Ryan Wood Māori background for the New Zealander's 2026 Indigenous Round livery.

The #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing Toyota Supra will carry a design by contemporary Māori artist Petera Te Hiwirori Hatea, whose whakapapa (ancestral lineage) connects him to the Rongowhakaata, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāpuhi iwi.

Wood was born and raised in the Upper Hutt, New Zealand, and has Māori heritage on his mother's side.

Tauranga-based Hatea is an established contemporary Māori visual artist, musician and Kapa Haka performer who trained in the 1990s at Toihoukura, graduated with Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori arts at Toimairangi, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and has performed nationally and internationally.

Titled 'Mangōpare', the Māori word for Hammerhead Shark, the artwork reflects Wood’s connection to his Māori culture and identity. The Mangōpare is a powerful symbol within Māori culture, representing strength, resilience, guidance, and protection.

The design draws inspiration from the whakataukī (proverb) 'Kei mate wheke, kia mate ururoa' (Do not die like an octopus, die fighting like a hammerhead shark).

The Toyota also carries flowing forms of the Pītau-a-Manaia pattern, which symbolises the unwavering support of Wood's family, friends, team and team partners.

“Creating artwork and designs is always an amazing experience. Hearing people’s stories and backgrounds to inspire an artwork is truly humbling. When we first meet, we may start as strangers, but through the creative process we often end up feeling like family," the artist said.

“Talking with Ryan and his team, and learning a small part of his background, made the design process feel very natural and meaningful. Although he doesn’t know his specific tribal affiliations through his Indigenous connections, I was able to reaffirm that simply being Māori is more than enough.

“It has been incredibly humbling to create this artwork for Ryan and the Walkinshaw TWG Racing team. More than anything, I hope it serves as a reminder of where he comes from, what he is connected to, and the powerful things that can be created from embracing that identity and culture.”

Wood added: “This livery means a lot to me. Growing up in New Zealand, I’ve always been proud of my Māori heritage through Mum’s side of the family, and to be able to celebrate a culture that means a lot to me in this way is really special.

“I’ve always been proud to represent New Zealand whenever I race, but having the chance to carry a livery that reflects my heritage on the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Toyota GR Supra makes this weekend even more meaningful.

“I can’t thank Hiwirori enough for the work he’s put into this design. He’s created something that means so much to me and my family, and the whole process has helped me learn more about and connect more deeply with my Māori culture.

“When we first spoke about the idea of running a Māori Indigenous livery, Mobil 1, Truck Assist and all of our partners got behind it straight away. Their support has made this possible, and I’m grateful they’ve embraced this opportunity to help me tell my story.”

Wood will hit the track on Friday June 19 in his new-look Supra.