'Tāne Nui-a-Rangi' Hei Tiki

 

A special commission and one of my most intricate carvings.

Created as a graduation gift from proud parents for their daughter, I carved this ‘Tāne Nui-a-Rangi’ Hei Tiki in the style of Ngāti Ruanui lineage.

Extreme detail and precision were required, the delicate spiral work on the arms measures approximately 10 mm in diameter, and the detailed eyes with pupils measure only 3 mm across!

Medium: Deer antler, native Mataī wood, pāua shell inlays

Dimensions: 72 mm in length

LED Manu Aute Project, Matariki (2018 - ongoing)

Lift off! The LED Manu Aute are finally flying!

This project is all about pushing whakairo to the next level. The light gives each Manu Aute that spiritual ignition to take off, bringing the designs to life once darkness falls.
Each Manu Aute (traditional Māori kite) was built with two layers, concealing two 5-metre lengths of independently controlled LED ribbon between them. Hidden from the front, the lighting illuminates the whakairo kōrero from behind.

What makes the installation even more magical is that every kite cycles through its own colours independently, creating an ever-changing display of light and movement. I could stand and watch them for hours!

A huge thank you to the people of Taumarunui, Te Waka Pū Whenua Trust for making this project possible, and the Ruapehu Community Arts Centre for allowing the installation on their beautiful building to become part of the Matariki celebrations.
Matariki is a time of reflection, renewal, and looking ahead. I'm proud to have played a small part in bringing a little more light to our community!

LED Manu Aute Project, Matariki (2018) – The Process

                        

From the first concept drawings to the final build, this project was another big journey. I cut every piece by hand from ACM sheet and plywood using a jigsaw before assembling the three multi-layered Manu Aute together.

It was a very challenging build, requiring plenty of planning, new skills, creativity, and problem-solving along the way. Thankfully, my family jumped in to lend a hand!

Seeing the vision gradually come together piece by piece was awesome. Now it is time to bring them to life with light!

LED Manu Aute Project, Matariki (2018) – The Plan

             

It was a real privilege to once again work alongside Te Waka Pū Whenua Trust after the success of the previous year's Matariki light installation. This time, I was invited to develop the concept for something even more ambitious.


The vision was to create three futuristic illuminated Manu Aute (traditional Māori kites), combining contemporary lighting with Māori design and storytelling.

Each Manu Aute would represent one of the three fundamental states of existence within Mātauranga Māori: Te Ao, Te Pō, and Te Kore—concepts that speak to the journey of existence and the origins of all things.

These concept drawings became the blueprint for the project, with every pattern and symbol carefully considered before construction began. They marked the first step towards bringing this unique Matariki installation to life.

Sometimes every great project begins with a simple drawing. This was one of those moments!

Taumarunui Native Bird Trail (2018–2024)

                    

It was an honour to work alongside Karen Ngatai and the Taumarunui Revitalisation Taskforce to create a trail of eleven native bird carvings through the historic Manson Gardens in the heart of Taumarunui.

With the support of eleven generous local sponsors, each bird found a permanent home within the gardens. Carved from a variety of beautiful native timbers, the project became a true labour of love that evolved over several years, with plenty of challenges and memorable moments along the way.

Each sculpture was carefully positioned to complement the character of the gardens, creating a trail that encourages visitors to slow down, explore, and discover some of New Zealand's remarkable native birdlife. Subtle lighting was later added so the carvings could continue to be enjoyed after dark.

Creating this project for my hometown has been one of the greatest privileges of my artistic journey. Seeing families, visitors and locals stop to admire the birds, take photographs and enjoy the gardens has made every hour worthwhile.

Looking back, this project reminded me that public art has the power to become part of a community's story.

‘Rongo’ Manu Pākau (bird-wing kite)

 

Creation of kites and kite flying was a great old-time Māori practice. Kites came in many types of design and were used for all sorts of purposes from general fun and games to more serious uses such as spiritual ceremonies amongst tohunga (priests). 

My own fascination with flight along with my passion towards whakairo led me to carve this particular ‘manu pākau’ representing Rongo, atua of peaceful pursuits. 

I decorated the aerofoil wing in a stepped on/off ‘poutama’ design representing the steps/levels towards Ranginui (Sky-Father), within these steps are painted kōwhaiwhai patterns representing the winds. The word ‘Manu’ means both bird and kite. Manu are seen as intermediaries between spiritual and physical realms.

Medium: Tōtara and Mataī wood, pāua shell inlays, hemp binding, feathers and paint

Dimensions: 1.2 metre wingspan 

'Tiki Auaha'

This Tiki is a symbol of life and fertility, its name is ‘Tiki Auaha’ which signifies creation, the creator. The abstract paint design challenges the viewer's imagination with notions of terrestrial landscapes, auroral light, and nebula imagery passing all into one. 

This piece later won 1st place in the 3D section of the 'Ruapehu Art Awards', October 2017.

Medium: Plywood, Steel plate, custom paint, feathers, computer hard-drives, LED ribbon

Mr Steele's Ruru Carving, Kaitieke (2017)

In September 2017, I was commissioned by local legend Richard Steele to create a 4.5-metre Ruru carving for his family property at Kaitieke, just south of Taumarunui. Carved from a huge, rugged Rimu log, this was the largest commissioned carving I had undertaken to date. Working on a log of this size meant thinking beyond carving alone.

I had to build a large tripod with a block and chain system, allowing me to carefully rotate the heavy timber as the sculpture gradually took shape. There was plenty of problem-solving along the way with this piece, and it really brought out the chainsaw carver in me!

The finished piece features a Ruru perched above a sweeping koru, a design holding deep personal meaning for Richard and his family, standing tall amidst the native landscape of Kaitieke.


The unveiling was a day I'll never forget. Family, friends, locals and visitors gathered around the completed sculpture, and seeing everyone standing beneath it was an incredible moment. Watching Richard look up at the finished Ruru with such pride made every hour of work worthwhile.


Looking back, this commission gave me the confidence to keep saying yes to bigger ideas!

Matariki Tiki Project, Taumarunui 2017

Matariki Illuminated Tiki, Taumarunui (2017)

In 2017, Te Waka Pū Whenua Trust approached me to create a series of large illuminated Tiki for their Matariki celebrations. Inspired by the light festivals beginning to appear around New Zealand at the time, I wanted to create something that would bring people together during the longest nights of the year around the Solstice.

Drawing on my background in whakairo, I designed and hand-cut seven large Tiki from plywood. Each sculpture featured a layered design, hiding five metres of colour changing RGB LED lighting that slowly flowed through a beautiful spectrum of colours once darkness fell.

Designing the project was a challenge in itself. Every plywood sheet was carefully planned to maximise the material and minimise waste, combining creativity, craftsmanship and plenty of problem-solving! My children even helped paint the Tiki, making the project even more special.

Installed on the lawn outside the Ruapehu Community Arts Centre in Taumarunui for two weeks, the illuminated trail quickly became a gathering place for families and visitors on cold winter evenings.

It was a real privilege to work alongside Te Waka Pū Whenua Trust on this project. Looking back, it reminded me that art isn't just about creating objects, it's about creating experiences that bring people together. This was a really cool project to do!

Kuratau Entranceway Upgrade 2017

The entranceway is a metaphor for the transformation of the children that pass through the school.

On the left side, we have the nesting Tūī, to represent the children that first enter the school. They are being nurtured, educated and looked after all snug in their nest.

On the right side, we have the mighty Kāhu, positioned in an energetic posture about to leap up off into the sunset, ready for lift-off! Representing the stronger educated more confident children as they leave the school.

The kōwhaiwhai used is called ‘Mangōpare’ (hammerhead shark), to represent strong spirit and determination. These life symbols are painted in white to represent the realm of Te Ao, the realm of light, Te Ao Mārama.

The black colour used coming up from the ground represents the realm of Te Kore (the potential, the void), whereas the transition into red, as if it’s  glowing, represents Te Whai-ao, the glimmer at dawn and reminds us of the separation of Rangi and Papa.

Throughout the day, the sun (te Rā) passes over the gateway from the Tūī side, up and over, and back down to the side of the Kāhu, another metaphor for the children’s journey of learning each day.

'Te Kete Tuauri' Carved Tahā (Embellished and carved Māori Gourd)

This Tahā is a representation of Te Kete Tuauri—the basket of spiritual connection, unseen ritual, sacred memory, karakia (prayers), and the cosmic order.

Medium: Hand-carved hue (NZ gourd) with wood supports, pāua shell inlays, stainless steel rod, hemp binding, feathers, paint and oil

Dimensions: 450mm x 350mm x 350mm

'Rua te Ruru' Tekoteko

There are many fascinating personifications of knowledge through Māori perspective. This tekoteko is a representation of Rua te Ruru, wisdom of the owl.

The Ruru (native New Zealand owl) is a kaitiaki of Te Pō, that is to say, guardian of the night, the unseen energies, realm of the departed.

The Ruru is a nocturnal bird, hunting at night in the thick dense forests of Tāne.

I made the carving from an old totara fence post from Taumarunui. I have left the base of the carving natural, whilst the carving itself has a Danish oil finish.

Medium: Heart Mountain Tōtara, Paua shell, Danish oil

Dimensions: 860mm x 160mm x 160mm

24 Spirals in Motion!

An exploration of continuous transformation, energy, and rhythm! This GIF animation brings together 24 individually hand-carved and hand-painted spirals from my work, pulsing through rapid change. The repetition of the double spiral form, traditionally signifying new life, growth, and creation—creates a mesmerizing visual vortex where traditional carving techniques meet optical illusion.

Medium: Hand-carved native timber, Hue (NZ gourd), custom paint, and animated loop

Tribute to Tāne Painting

The central motivation of this piece is the hexagon and pentagon. The hexagon represents macrocosm, everything larger than ourselves, whilst the pentagon represents microcosm, the smaller scale down to the minute. Six is the number of structure whilst five represents life.

I carefully duplicated the dimensions of the areas in between the two shapes, and rotated them into position (shown in white) forming a crafty composition of the classic Māori ‘Wheku’ design in a most striking and simplified manner.

The ‘Wheku’ design not only displays a face, but expresses the foundation of our reality ‘Te Ao Mārama’ through mnemonics subtly presenting the great feats of Tāne-nui-ā-Rangi who brought light and knowledge into our realm.

I view Atua Māori as inter-dimensional energies macrocosmically beyond, yet microcosmically integrated within us through our spiritual and astral bodies. This system shows how consciousness is within oneself yet simultaneously throughout the universe all at the same moment.

Medium: Acrylic on canvas, with a carved native Tōtara frame

Dimensions: 1m x 1m

'Night and Day Project 2015'

This carving presents the cyclic nature of life. The figure represents Tāne but with Pūriri moth (NZ Ghost Moth) connotations suggesting a life and death scenario.

 
Tāne is associated with life-force, he thrust his parents Rangi and Papa apart with his legs so all life could dwell in-between. He created man and flew to the heavens receiving all knowledge for mankind; this I have represented by the knowledge transfer symbol in the 3rd eye area. He also represents the forest and all life within including birds and insects.

 
Meanwhile the Pūriri moth is associated with death; these moths are attracted to the Pūriri tree, which were often tapu through their use as a burial site. Traditionally an infusion of the leaves was used to wash the body of the deceased for preservation purposes.

The Pūriri caterpillars (Mokoroa) would eventually kill the trees, but the birds in turn would feed on them, and so the cyclic nature of life continues...

Medium: Carved from Oak wood with pāua shell inlays, wood stain and paint

Dimensions: 650mm high

 

'Tāne Mahuta' Tekoteko

'Tāne Mahuta' Tekoteko,

Medium: Carved from native Tōtara wood

Dimensions: 750mm high

'Infinite One' Project

Recently I've been learning how to turn my wooden carvings into plaster cast duplicates. This has given me the freedom to experiment with the same form in a variety of different colors.

Lately, I’ve been studying the chakras and find the concept fascinating. Even though chakra knowledge isn't Māori knowledge per se, exploring it has provided a meaningful space to reflect on personal growth and self-improvement from within.

'Wheku' Mask

'Wheku' Mask 

Medium: Carved from native Mataī wood with pāua shell inlays and enamel paint

Dimensions: 250mm x 130mm

Carved Koru form

'Koru' 

Medium: Carved from native Tōtara wood and painted

Dimensions: 1.2m high

'Te Hoe o Kiwa', Embellished Māori Canoe Paddle

The two hues of blue represent the ocean currents coming together. A representation of Kiwa is seen on the handle. Kiwa is a guardian of the ocean.

Medium: Carved from native Mataī wood with pāua shell inlays, hemp rope binding, and feathers.

Dimensions: 85cm long

'Te Hoe o Tangaroa' Embellished Māori Canoe Paddle

'Te Hoe o Tangaroa'

Medium: Carved from native Mataī wood with pāua shell inlays, hemp rope binding and feathers.

Dimensions: 85cm long

'Tukutahinga' Wheku Mask

This piece is entitled 'Tukutahinga' referring to the synchronisation of the two hemispheres of the brain. The white hues represent light and knowledge synchronising. The purple represents knowledge transfer, the Pineal gland, the centre of perception. The twelve white sections represent the twelve Heavens.

Medium: Carved from native Tōtara wood with pāua shell inlays and paint.

Solar Dragon Carving

This dragon carving is a fusion of ancient Scandinavian and English art styles. I developed the dragon imagery into spiraling twisted coils to representing the path of the sun throughout the year. The pattern that emerges from spring equinox to autumn is one of a double spiral - the dragon.

Dragon imagery has been also been closely associated with unseen energies, fertility, protection and esoteric wisdom.

Medium: Carved from native Kahikatea wood

‘Rua-te-pupuke and Te Manu-hauturuki’ Tekoteko

                     

  

This carving represents the origins of carving, where Rua (a personification of knowledge) dived down into the deep sea into Tangaroa’s domain in search of his child, Te Manu-hauturuki. He found his child setup on Tangaroa’s house as a tekoteko (gable figure). Tangaroa is one of the supreme atua of the Polynesian people he is lord of the ocean, and his house was richly adorned by carvings.
After Rua defeated the Ponaturi (the evil sea fairies) at that house, he took the carved posts on the outside away as examples and models, and brought them back to the human world.

Medium: Carved from native Tōtara wood, pāua, clam and mother-of-pearl inlays

 Dimensions: 1000mm high

‘Tāne-nui-ā-Rangi’ Tekoteko

My main concern for this carving was to create the strength and life force connotations associated with the human being. I chose to depict the mighty Tāne-nui-ā-Rangi to reflect these attributes which are characteristics of a chief. 

Medium: Carved out of native Tōtara wood, pāua shell inlays, features and paint.

Dimensions: 500mm high

Mango-Tipi Kowhaiwhai Panel

Mango-Tipi - The Great White Shark. This is a traditional Māori design taken from the east coast of New Zealand. I copied it from a plate in Augustus Hamilton's 1896 book on Māori art.

This was one of a selection of carved and painted panels I created for a customer. Check out those tidy lines!

'Aoteatea Project' (My Carving Shed)

So pleased to see this project come together! This is just one of three large projects I did this year for my degree. Decorating the front of my workshop marks an exciting new chapter in my artistic journey.

I carved the façade to reflect my place in the universe, turning the shed itself into a meaningful piece of art. I can now take real pride in carving away every day in front of my beautifully adorned workshop!

‘The Four Props’ hand-painted acrylic on canvas

‘The Four Props’

This piece represents my own abstract interpretation of the origins of the universe through the Māori tradition of the four props: Tokomua, Tokoroto, Tokopa, and Rangi-potiki. These props were used to permanently separate Rangi and Papa (Heaven and Earth).

I built this design in three stages in coordination with the three states of existence, with Te Kore (the void) represented at the centre, Te Pō (the night) beyond that, and Te Ao-mārama (the world of light) on the very outside configured out of life symbols. I used the golden ratio 1:1.618 to space these three levels accordingly.

Medium: Hand-painted acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 460mm x 460mm

Tawhirimatea, Future Whakaaro (Wire Tekoteko 2013)

Inspired and amazingly grateful to my Kaiako, Te Kuiti Stewart, for teaching me so much and sharing his abundant knowledge and skills with me through my time with him on the Te Maunga Kura Toi Graduate Degree programme, I made him this as a koha.

Whano koe ki te rangi,
Ki a Tāwhirimātea,
Kia kaha ai koe, kia toa ai koe,
Kia whai mana ai koe!
Go to the heavens,
To Tāwhirimātea,
So that you will be strong,
So that you will be brave,
So that you will have mana!

(Unknown author on original, translated by Michael Shirres in his book Te Tangata, 1997).

The Aoteatea Project, 'Waikura', My Shed in Taumarunui

Project: Aoteatea Whakairo

This project represents a spiritual reflection of my world, I decided to carve the front of my shed to give it the prestige it deserves after completing the 'Te Maunga Kura Toi' degree program.

The Koruru (front mask) represents Rua-te-pupuke (the personification of knowledge) and the manaia at the raparapa represent Tumatauenga (contextual) and Rongo (conceptual) all these elements are essential for carving. The puhoro kowhaiwhai design represents a tohu, an acomplishment, also speed and agility in all these elements above.

I based the koruru on a wheku mask, Tane in his propped up position and a cows pelvis, a mnemonic to the Taurus star constellation and connectivity to the earth element. The Taurus constellation is one of the key 4 zodiac markers, marking summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the Maori New year (matariki) in May/June time. 
The koruru faces exactly north which aligns with England's Stonehenge monument, I was bought up 28km away in a small town called Andover so this is rather significant to me. 

Westward my Rongo manaia faces the Great pyramids of Giza, as the opposing  side Tu faces Tongariro. On an Egyptian level I have designed these manaia in a subtle adapted form of the Ankh symbol, these symbols represent the keys to the golden gate (gate of the gods), [Scopio] -on Rongo's side and silver gate (the gate of man), [Taurus] -on Tu's side. They depict the journey of the soul and birth and death of the Sun every twelve hours.

The Milky way bisects the ecliptic along the zodiac cycle through the two points of Taurus and Scorpio, hence on rare occasions the event of galactic alignment conjunction happens where earth aligns with the galactic center.

The Voyager (Karakia Whakairo)

Project: Karakia Whakairo

I look upon Karakia Whakairo as a pathway or connection to the divine, illumination and expansion of knowledge.

In this carving I show a figure tuning into the source (Io-te-wananga) via the third eye and crown chakra, the connective interface between the physical and spiritual worlds. This carving also shows the convergence of knowledge (Hukatai) coming together through accumulation of facts that centralise themselves into wisdom (Rehu-tai) presenting expansion of consciousness.

The carving is made of three sections based on the golden ratio (ф=1.618). They represent the human, planetary and Stella scales and simultaneously the three Maori states of existence, Te Ao, Te Po and Te kore.

I started off the carving with a tiki styled figure at the base morphed into a head at the lower rectangle zone which the viewer can associate oneself with, I have emphasised the 3^rd eye region in the form of a ruru (owl) head, this shows extension and is exactly half a golden rectangle. 

The lighted up v-formation on the figure represents life-force highlighting our bodies solar plexus region, plus at the same time the accumulation of facts (Hukatai), [Sea-foam] as the light comes together at the point of the 3^rd eye area it heads straight up in an organised manner representing wisdom (rehutai), [Sea-spray]. 

Above the ruru head we have a representation of the twelve heavens, these I have depicted in organised layers like a rainbow in the dual forms of the karearea hawk, and the whale back fin to denote travel and experience. The rehutai beam of energy permeates through these levels straight up from the crown of the ruru to the eliptical takarangi spiral representing the cosmos, the abode of Io, the Stella scale and te kore. The elliptical form is reminiscent to the shape of our galaxy, The Milky Way and also represents the duality of the micro and macrocosm.

 The back-plate is in the shape of an upward positioned waka suggested a celestial spiritual journey.