Dinosaur at the Library: A New Chapter

Really proud to be part of this! Thank you, Mayor Weston Kirton, Councillor John Chapman, the Ruapehu Art Advisory Group, and the wonderful team at Taumarunui Library for this fantastic opportunity!

Unity Project Unveiling: Waharoa at Te Awanui a Rua

We unveiled our Unity Project carving this afternoon, wahoo! The waharoa is situated at the Te Awanui a Rua Trust headquarters in Taumarunui.

A big thank you to our rangatahi carvers—Jahdah, Hone, and Rangi—it was so much fun carving this project with you all! Also, a mighty thanks to Anahera, Whaea Jackie, and Matua Hokio for your massive support.

'Unity Project' Waharoa at Te Awanui a Rua Trust

Here is my scaled plan for my upcoming Unity project. I'll be teaching a group of local rangatahi the carving and painting techniques involved as we construct the project. It's all about sharing the craft and passing on knowledge!

I'll carve the central koruru, representing Rangi and Papa, from Tōtara, while every other component will be crafted from treated pine, applying skills learnt from my previous waharoa.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this project come to life!

Taumarunui Town Sign — Macrocarpa Carving, 2021

I carved these three Macrocarpa beams during lockdown, so I had plenty of time to do it thoroughly! They came out really well. I carved the TAUMARUNUI lettering deeply into the timber after working the whole surface in a sort of scalloped, mamaku-inspired pattern. It was great to finally see all three beams up in place — a proud moment!

LED Manu Aute Installation — Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta

Wow, what an honour! New Zealand’s largest kōhanga reo, Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta in Auckland, commissioned me to install three of my new LED Manu Aute in time for Matariki.

Rather than cutting them out by hand like last time, I created vector images so the plasma cutter could cut them out for me. It worked a treat, and they came out even tidier than the originals.

The same principle applies as before, with each kite having two independent 5-metre lengths of colour-changing LED ribbon.

I’m really happy that these are going to be on permanent display, and I hope they’ll be inspirational to the kids and passers-by!

A big thank you to Danni from Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta and John the electrician for helping make it all happen.

Central Kids Kindergarten Waharoa, Taumarunui

Very proud to have carved and erected this special gateway for Central Kids Kindergarten Taumarunui.

It was a fun creative journey. This was my first time carving tanalised pine and constructing each section out of multiple pieces to create the overall form, and it worked out really well!

The kōwhaiwhai design depicts the kindy's waiata, 'Anei te Moemoeā', representing the children's transformation through the centre.

A big thanks to everyone involved: Kaumātua Huitao, Kim Jones, the Central Kids staff, Mitre 10, and Creative Communities Scheme for their funding.

LED Manu Aute Project, Matariki (2018 - ongoing)

Lift off! The LED Manu Aute are finally flying!

This project is all about pushing my 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 ages!

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 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.

Pātaka: Te Rauhuaki Ao

                                                    

Super proud today unveiling the Pātaka over at Ngā Hau e Whā Māra Kai, Taumarunui.

A massive thanks to the kaumātua and everyone who attended the dawn ceremony, as well as Pip, Pal, and the rest of the Ngā Hau e Whā team! Also, a huge thank you to Creative NZ for the funding.

This Pātaka is a fully functional food storage house and heritage seed bank for the gardens—tūturu Māori style. Such a privilege to carve the front of it!

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.

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 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!

Matariki Tiki Project, 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

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.

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.

Rongomatane tekoteko, for Ngā Hau e Whā Māra Kai

I made this tekoteko representing Rongomatane for Ngā Hau e Whā Māra Kai, Taumarunui. They're a brilliant outfit putting community first. So I thought they'd like it to look over and protect their Māra Kai. Thanks Pip, Pal and team!

The Legend of Ngātoroirangi

This carving portrays the moment Ngātoroirangi ascended Mount Tongariro. The story behind it is one of great depth—detailing the origins of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and how geothermal and seismic activity were brought to Aotearoa. As the revered ariki and high priest, Ngātoroirangi is the ancestor and progenitor of the Tūwharetoa people.

According to tradition, Tūwharetoa descended from those at the stern of the Te Arawa waka, while Te Arawa iwi came from the bow. In the carving, Ngātoroirangi holds the decorative hoe (kōrepe, or steering oar) to symbolize his role as the paramount navigator and chief of the vessel.

Below him is Ruaūmoko, god of earthquakes and volcanic force. Ngātoroirangi journeyed up Tongariro to claim the surrounding land, but while near the summit, he was trapped in a fierce blizzard. Freezing, he called out to his sisters in Hawaiki for fire. They sent the female fire-deities, Te Pūpū and Te Hoata, who traveled beneath the earth carrying sacred embers.

In this piece, the carved clam shell represents the pouch holding those sacred embers, while the manaia on Ruaūmoko’s brow portray Te Pūpū and Te Hoata, who guided the subterranean heat along his trail—igniting the volcanic line from Whakaari to Tongariro and leaving a lasting legacy of geothermal energy across the land.

This carving now resides at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Maniapoto Campus in Te Kūiti.