New students to learn art of carving

The New Year has brought a new generation of carvers to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

The students will be learning the time-honoured tradition at the institute's Te Wananga Whakairo Rakau (National Wood Carving School) at Te Puia.

The five new first-year students - James Earle, Daytona Waiariki, Pene Panapa, Maharaia Chisnall and Hemi Thompson - were welcomed with a special pohiri on this week at Te Puia's Rotowhio Marae.

New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute director Karl Johnstone said the school selected up to five students from iwi across New Zealand each year after a "careful vetting process".

"Applicants are individually assessed based on criteria identified in the school's application form and carefully selected so that iwi throughout the country are represented.

"We are confident that this year's successful applicants will uphold the mana of their whanau, hapu (sub-tribes) and iwi and one day take the skills they have learnt back to their rohe to ensure the safe-guarding of wharenui and other carvings."

During their training, the students will have the opportunity to be involved in restoration projects and other major initiatives on-site, throughout New Zealand and overseas.

"The schools are a core part of the institute's mandate to perpetuate, protect and promote Maori material culture. Students will be introduced to environments which help them see first hand how knowledge, history, and ideas are manifested through wood carving," Mr Johnstone said.

Under the tuition of the head of school, Arekatera Maihi, the students will not only be taught how to carve, but will learn about the origin of carving skills and tools, the historical and spiritual significance of customary practices used by ancestors, the techniques and skills required to transmit Maori concepts and korero through carving, and to create different Maori taonga.

Distinctive tribal patterns and their purpose and significance, as well as different timber types and their use will also be taught.