I’ve crafted this larger-than-life Pīwakawaka from reclaimed vehicle and machinery parts collected around our rural district.
Painted lawnmower blades form its bold black-and-white tail, while ball-bearing eyes give it an alert, cheeky expression. Perched on an old Tōtara fence post, it is my celebration of one of New Zealand’s most familiar little birds, full of character and proudly made from rural scrap.
Here's a collection of some of the birds I've been creating recently.
I've been really enjoying refining their individual characteristics and silhouettes, trying to capture the personality and spirit of each species.
I've also been exploring the application of paint, versus rustiness. Even a tiny amount of colour can really bring the piece to life.
Wow, so pleased.. I just won the 3D and Premier Awards last night at the Ruapehu Art Awards with my metal Kārearea sculpture. I can't believe it, there are so many cool artworks there!
Thank you to the Ruapehu Art Awards team and friends for creating this awesome event, and especially to all the sponsors for helping make it happen and bringing all this incredible art together.
The show will be on daily from 10 am to 3 pm until the 30th of September. Please go check it out!
After many years of carving timber, I'd been thinking about giving welding a go. So I borrowed a friend's MIG welder and decided to experiment with a simple idea: an NZ Pterodactyl drawn in mid-air using nothing more than No. 8 wire and a wooden base.
The realisation that I wasn't carving material away, but instead building it up, hit me straight away! I found myself drawing in three dimensions, bending and welding each line into place. I could even undo sections to get the size and proportions just right. It was completely different from carving, and I loved it immediately (apart from the smell, haha!). I was also able to use my familiar angle grinders, which made the transition feel surprisingly natural.
This little sculpture isn't about perfection. It's about discovering a new medium, and I can't wait to see where it takes me!
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.
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.
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 inlays, hemp, feathers and paint
Dimensions: 1.2 metre wingspan
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 is the largest commissioned carving I have undertaken to date. Working on a log of this size means 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 really cool. Family, friends, locals and visitors gathered around the carving, 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.
This commission has given me the confidence to keep saying yes to bigger ideas!
This 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.
