Our Carvers
Clive Ernest Fugill
Tumuwhakarae: Master Carver (42nd year at NZMACI)
Clive Fugill was in the very first intake to the carving school in 1967, and now is a master carver still at the institute today. ‘If we lose our arts and crafts we lose our identity,’ explains Clive. ‘It’s important that we pass on our art to future generations, to show our unique art form worldwide.’
Clive is optimistic about the future, happy that thanks to places like the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute, ‘our art and culture will never die out’.
Iwi Le Comte
Honours Year Carver
Tuhoe / Te Arawa
Although Iwi was attracted to whakairo (Māori carving) from a young age, it was later in life that he found the passion to continue and as a 4th year honours student he’s doing just that.
This passion is also portrayed in the legacy that Iwi hopes to leave, ‘acknowledge our Tohunga (Masters) of the past and present and carry out their teachings to the tauira of the future.’
James Rickard
Tumu Whakairo: 1st Intake
James was a student in the very first intake of Te Wananga Whakairo back in 1967 and has been involved with the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute for over four decades. James believes that the institute has created ‘an unbroken line of traditional art from Ruatepupuke (a Māori ancestor) down to today’s graduates.’ He is impressed with the influence that the institute has had on the retention of the art of whakairo.
Today, James looks forward to ‘a better future not only for the graduates of this school but for Māori culture in general.’
Kawharu Greensill
Carver
Ngāti Koata/ Ngāti Hinerupe
Kawharu says his whānau (family) was the inspiration to take up the art of whakairo (Māori carving). He hopes that one day he can apply this skill to creating ‘a carved history at home.’
Kawharu believes the legacy of the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute will be ‘the protection, the perpetuation and the fostering of our Māori traditions.’
Kelly Elliott
Carver
Ngāti Maniapoto / Te Arawa
As an admirer of beautiful things, Kelly says his inspiration to learn the art of whakairo (Māori carving) was purely aesthetic. ‘It was just seeing the wonderful things you are able to create,’ he explains.
For Kelly, passing on the knowledge of whakairo is the true legacy of the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. As Kelly looks forward to his own future, he knows he is the master of his own destiny. ‘You should follow your dreams and make them real,’ explains Kelly. ‘It’s your choice.’
Te Rangikapiki Fraser
Carver
Ngāti Raukawa / Ngāti Rangitihi
23-year-old Te Rangikapiki is part of the 36th intake to the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. Whakairo (Māori carving) is an ongoing passion of his. ‘I have always wanted to carve since I was young,’ he explains. ‘I started when I was 13 while I was at wharekura (Māori language-based secondary school) and have been carving ever since.’
Te Rangikapiki hopes that the legacy of the institute will continue to perpetuate the art of whakairo and in particular the tribal variations, and hopes that he will be a part of this legacy. ‘I want to inspire future carvers to learn Mahi Whakairo (carving) at a very high standard like some of the Master Carvers who have been through the institute.’
Tommy Herbert
Carver
Ngāti Te Wehi / Ngāti Whare
Tommy joined the 36th Intake to the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. He was inspired to join as there was a lack of whakairo (Māori carving) artists in his whānau (family).
Tommy knows he is at the right place. ‘Here at MACI,’ he explains, ‘the carving tutors are recognised as the best in the world.’ Tommy hopes his skills will benefit his people. ‘I’d like to leave behind my whakapapa (geneology) carved as a meeting house for future generations.’
Tony Thompson
Tutor
Ngāti Uenuku Kopako / Ngāti Wahiao
Tony is a part of the tutorial team at the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute but he says his inspiration to learn whakairo (Māori carving) came from the persuasiveness of his mother and his need to learn more about his people and himself. Tony sees the institute as special place of culture, history, arts and generations of special people.
Tony hopes to leave his mark internationally. ‘I want to be part of a legacy and its growth around the world,’ he explains.
William Maramatanga Kaha Mako
Carving Student
Tuwharetoa
William joined the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute in the 35th Intake. He hails from Ratana Pā situated in the West Coast of the North Island. William’s inspiration to learn whakairo (Māori carving) comes at the loss of Ratana’s last Tōhunga (Master) Carver.
William is impressed by the extraordinary legacy that the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute has. ‘It means that there is an elite standard of carvers that have gone through the NZMACI and that I as a current student take in knowledge from tutors to enhance my standard of carving and reach the elite for the betterment of not only myself but to benefit the Māori people.’
