A woman with long, curly brown hair sitting outdoors on grass, wearing a white dress and jewelry, looking off to the side with sunlight illuminating her face.

Zak Ātea (Te Ati Awa, Taranaki) is an award winning, published illustrator and storyteller based in Sydney Australia, originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Working across illustration and narrative world-building.Her practice explores companionship, inner worlds, and the subtle magic found within everyday life, creating tender, atmospheric works that invite reflection and quiet connection. Applying both a worldly and Te Ao Māori lens, she utilises colour, texture and a mixed media approach to bring her visions to life.

Client Shortlist

Huia Publishers, Scholastic NZ, Ministry of Education, Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou, Lift Education, LAWA (Land, Air, Water Aotearoa), Women’s Refuge, WTF (Wear T-shirts Forever)

Drawing of a simple cartoon fish with a black dot eye, a curved body, and a fin.

Awards