Creating+our+identity+through+carving

March 2012

Henry the carver has bought in some new mahi and we have passed on this amazing work to the other kindergartens in our association. The team feels happy to share our connections with him, and in turn enable our committment to Taonga to be visible. There is a sense of achievement for Henry as his work is developing and he is creating new designs and trying out new types of wood. We have talked about the wood being blessed and he says a prayer when he begins to carve. ka pai tau mahi (Your work is good).

April 2012

Our carver has approached us to further discuss creating a large carving for the Kindergarten. Kim our administrator (Ngati Whatua) has consulted with her iwi at Haranui and Rewiti marae to discuss any tapu that may exist and to ask about what designs would be suitable for our community and cultures. She also consulted with the Rodney Councilto further discuss any protocols involved in this work. Sharon (Ngati Maniapoto) has approached some Kuia and Koro to discuss her concerns about Taonga and Whanaungatanga.

May 2012

Our carver has had a piece of rimu donated to him from Cyprus Sawmill in Waitoki and he has created a caving for us to put either above our front door or inside the kindergarten. The wood has been aged and looks really authentic and fits our environment where natural resources are cherished as Taonga.





June 2012

The team have begun to design our new carving and after consultation we have the following Taonga we want to incorporate.

1.Aramoana (The ocean pathway) 2.Tuna (The eels) 3.Manawa (The mangroves) 4.Ika (The flounder) 5.Rauawa in the waka (A face in the waka)

This project is continuing with both the carver and team sourcing the wood and further discussing the complexities of the design. This process has not been rushed because it is important to consult with Whanau and Iwi and to avoid any breech of protocols with our Kuia, Koro and Kaumata.

September 2012

We puchased a Tuna (Eel) from Henry and I trimmed down the teeth as they were made with natural fibres which were too sharp for our children. We placed this Taonga on the literacey area and added natural wooden resources to compliment it.

March 2013

We are a month away from completing a major rebuild here at the Kindergarten and the subject of creating a carving to go above our new entrance way has come up within discussions with head office. We will approach Henry to see if he is available to consult with us on this piece of Taonga.