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.’