Determined mother carves her place among the men

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

Pania Waaka has carved herself a place in history.

The mother-of-five is believed to be the first woman to earn a qualification in the male-dominated Maori art of carving.

After three years, she has finished an advanced diploma in Toi Whakairo from Whakatane's Maori university, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi.

"This is huge," her tutor, James Stewart, said.

Mrs Waaka had laid the groundwork for other women in a revival of learning the art and the language of carving, he said.

Since 1907, when Maori were discouraged from using their own language and culture, carving had been diminished to "art for art's sake" rather than the original means of writing personal history.

Mr Stewart said that in a departure from tradition, the kaumatua of Ngati Awa were "all for" the Whakatane learning institution's carving programme being open to women when it started six years ago.

Pania Waaka joined the course in 2001, looking for a change from kohanga reo teaching.

"In the beginning I was just being nosy," said the 34-year-old.

"I had never tested my creativity before and didn't know what ability I had.

"But the longer I stayed, the more determined I was to finish."

Mrs Waaka was aware of being watched in her trailblazing role.

"It was a very hard course. Every day was a challenge."

Adding to that in her first year was that she was pregnant with her fifth child.

At the time, she was carving a tekoteko (figure) and other large pieces for the Iramoko marae at Matata. She finished the tekoteko a week before giving birth.

"It was dirty, sweaty, labouring type work."

But through it, the Rotorua woman learned an "amazing amount" about her genealogy and discovered family links with the Matata marae.

"That was the true benefit for me."

She and her husband Wairema, a Maori language teacher, named their new baby - now aged 2 - Iramoko as a tribute.

Conscious of the stigma that still exists against female carvers, Mrs Waaka sought the blessing of local kaumatua and wananga (university) officials to continue with the course during pregnancy.

It has been hugely rewarding, she says, although all her wood and bone carvings have been given away.

"I don't keep them. They're not done for me."

Having led the way, she is happy three women have now completed two years of the carving course and two have accomplished year one.

Mrs Waaka now intends to relax.

"I am going to chill out and tune in with the kids."