Artists

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Albert Te Pou

Albert is a master carver whose distinguished career spans nearly five decades. Born in Ruatāhuna in 1959, Albert’s journey into whakairo rākau began when he was accepted into Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa under the guidance of the renowned tohunga whakairo John Taiapa. Graduating three years later, he went on to become one of Aotearoa’s most respected carvers, recognised for his technical precision, deep cultural understanding, and enduring commitment to the continuation of Māori carving traditions.
Albert’s body of work includes commissions for the New Zealand Embassy, Parliament House, and numerous tīpuna wharenui across the country, as well as international projects that have showcased Māori artistry on the world stage. Throughout his 48-year career, he has shared his expertise with emerging artists and the public alike, upholding the principle of ako - learning and teaching as reciprocal acts. His carvings embody both the ancestral knowledge of his tūpuna and a lifelong devotion to preserving and advancing the art of whakairo.

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Aroha Mitchell

Aroha Mitchell

With a Master of Fine Arts in Painting, Aroha has built an accomplished art practice spanning more than three decades, seamlessly blending painting and raranga (Māori weaving) into a distinctive visual language. Her creative journey began in 1989 at Waiariki Polytechnic’s Craft Design Māori course, where her passion for weaving and Māori art was first ignited, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to both disciplines.
Aroha’s work continues to evolve through exploration of new materials, techniques, and ideas, while remaining grounded in the values and traditions of her ancestors. Each piece she creates bridges past and future, honouring the wisdom of her tūpuna and the enduring strength of Māori culture. Deeply connected to the land and to identity, her practice embodies the sharing of mātauranga Māori and the preservation of cultural knowledge through the art of fibre and form.

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Haami Te Aho

Haami’s work bridges the ancestral traditions of whakairo rākau with contemporary expression and cultural stewardship. Guided by patience, precision, and deep respect for the narratives held within wood, his notable works include Te Mahau for Te Matatini (2013), carvings for Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa (2022), and representing Aotearoa as an exhibition carver at FESTPAC 2024 in Hawaii.
Since carving his first taiaha in 2011, Haami has embraced whakairo as a lifelong journey of learning and giving back. Mentored by master carvers Clive Fugill, James Rickard, and Tony Thompson, he has developed a practice grounded in reciprocity, cultural integrity and teaching, ensuring the artform continues to evolve. His work embodies the spirit of collective growth expressed in the whakataukī: “Nau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi” - with your basket and mine, the people will thrive.

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Karaitiana Rurehe

Karaitiana’s journey into whakairo began during intermediate school, where his kaiako, Te Manimani Te Are, introduced him to the artform that would shape his life. Early lessons fostered both skill and curiosity, and at just fifteen, a visit to Te Puia – the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, left an enduring impression. Determined to return, Karaitiana later enrolled at Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa, where he trained under master carvers Clive Fugill, James Rickard, and Albert Te Pou, graduating in 2014. Their mentorship deepened his understanding of the craft’s lineage and the responsibility that comes with preserving its traditions.
Since then, Karaitiana has remained devoted to whakairo, continuing the practices, values, and stories that first inspired him. A graduate of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with a qualification in Toi Reo Māori, he is committed to strengthening the cultural foundations of his work and to one day teaching the knowledge he has gathered. His portfolio includes significant works for Matatini (2012–2013), Mataura Marae (2017), Ihumātao Makarau Marae (2024), and the Pātaka Te Aronui. Guided by the whakataukī “Iti rearea, teitei kahikatea ka taea” - even the small bellbird, by striving, can reach the top of the lofty kahikatea. Karaitiana continues to carve with humility, persistence, and purpose.

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Kihoro Hohepa

Kihoro is a dedicated carver whose artistry reflects both deep ancestral knowledge and a contemporary vision for whakairo in Aotearoa. A graduate of the 8th intake of Te Takapū o Rotowhio, his time at the Institute fostered a strong understanding of the philosophies, techniques, and traditions that underpin Māori carving. Guided by a passion for preserving cultural integrity through creative practice, he later returned as a Pouako (tutor), where he taught for a few years, mentoring emerging artists and contributing to the continuation of this sacred art form.
After his time teaching, Kihoro embarked on a new chapter, establishing his own carving studio where he continues to produce works that honour whakapapa while exploring new interpretations of form and function. His pieces embody balance, precision, and respect for the natural materials from which they are born, each one carrying the essence of connection between artist, ancestor, and whenua. Through his evolving practice, Kihoro remains devoted to ensuring that whakairo Māori continues to inspire, educate, and endure for generations to come.

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Kingi Aupouri

Kingi Aupouri

Kingi’s journey into whakairo rākau is deeply grounded in whakapapa, iwi traditions, and the enduring strength of Te Ao Māori. Though raised for much of his life on Waiheke Island, his early exposure to carving was limited. That changed when he moved to Rotorua in 2018 and became immersed in the stories, forms, and ancestral artistry of his tūpuna. This reconnection to heritage ignited his passion for traditional carving and set him on a path of cultural and creative discovery. In 2025, Kingi graduated from Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa, where his understanding of whakairo deepened through discipline, mentorship, and reflection on the role of the carver as a vessel of ancestral knowledge.
Today, Kingi approaches his practice with reverence and purpose. Each chisel stroke is both an act of creation and a tribute to those who came before him. Inspired by his tupuna Tene Waitere, a renowned master carver of the Rotorua region who’s works have travelled around the world, known specifically for his intricate designs and forms from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Kingi carries forward the legacy left by his tupuna with precision and humility.

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Reeve Hokopaura

Reeve is a carver whose practice bridges traditional Māori art forms with modern expression. A graduate of the 6th intake of Te Takapū o Rotowhio (2019), he has since returned as a Mātanga Whakairo, continuing to refine his craft while guiding and inspiring the next generation of artists. His work reflects a deep reverence for the histories, meanings, and stylistic traditions that shape toi Māori, with a particular passion for stone, bone and pounamu carving - materials that connect both physically and spiritually to the natural world.
In addition to his role at the Institute, Reeve operates his own carving studio, where he creates bespoke pieces that honour ancestral design while exploring new artistic directions. Guided by values of precision, patience, and cultural integrity, his work embodies the timeless essence of whakairo - a living art form that continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its origins. Each piece he creates stands as both a reflection of identity and a testament to the enduring strength of Māori artistry.

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Tommy Herbert

Tommy’s journey into whakairo rākau began in 1995 while at high school under the guidance of his kaiako, Mr Mike Green. What started as a curiosity soon became a lifelong pursuit of cultural and creative excellence. After years of carving independently, Tommy joined the 36th intake at Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau o Aotearoa in 2008, graduating from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in 2011.
Influenced by master carvers Tony Thompson and James Rickard, Tommy’s work balances innovation with deep respect for tradition. His carvings reflect precision, strength, and cultural integrity, qualities evident in significant commissions including World Trade Expo in China – Pou Maumahara (2010), Te Matatini - Mahau (2012–13), Belgium – Pou Maumahara (2018), Air New Zealand (2019), and Singapore Gardens - Kūwaha (2022) along with the many marae projects around the motu. Guided by the values of Manaaki - generosity and respect, Tommy continues to carve with humility and purpose, honouring the lineage of those who shaped his craft.

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Rick Peters

Beginning his whakairo journey in 2015, Rick entered Te Takapū o Rotowhio at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI), studying stone and bone carving under the guidance of master carver Stacy Gordine. After graduating in 2017 with a tohu in stone and bone carving, he was invited to return as a pouako (tutor), where he spent four years shaping the next generation of artists while deepening his own practice. During this time, he represented Aotearoa internationally through the Tuku Iho touring exhibition, showcasing Māori artistry in the United States, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Since leaving NZMACI in 2022, Rick has established himself as a full-time, self-employed artist, undertaking iwi projects, private commissions, and developing original works that reflect his evolving creative voice. His practice is grounded in cultural integrity, technical refinement, and a commitment to honouring the natural materials he works with, continuing a journey of growth that strengthens both his artistry and the traditions he represents.

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Iwi Le Comte

Iwi is a Māori artist whose practice spans more than two decades, weaving together whakairo, design, and a profound connection to his whenua and whakapapa. His creative voice is shaped by the rhythms of the moana - surfing, diving, and fishing remain central influences, while his experiences learning alongside other cultures continue to broaden the depth and nuance of his work. Each piece reflects an intimate relationship with te taiao and the cultural narratives that guide him.
Grounded by his whānau and the traditions of Toi Māori, Iwi’s artistry has taken him across Aotearoa and the world, where he shares and celebrates the stories, forms, and philosophies of his heritage. His work embodies balance, between contemporary expression and ancestral knowledge, between innovation and lineage, and between the natural world and the sculptural forms it inspires.

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