Wananga | Te Wananga Whakairo Rakau | Wood Carving School

Master Carver James Rickard National Weaving School of New Zealand Master Carver Clive Fugill

Wānanga

National Wood Carving School
Carving School Beginnings
Māori Arts & Crafts Institute
About Māori Carving
Māori Weapons
Māori Musical Instruments
Our Carvers
Our Mark of Authenticity

National Weaving School

National Stone Carving School

Education Programmes

Our Carvers

Heads of Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau (wood carving school) are James Rickard (left) and Clive Fugill (right). Both master carvers were one of seven students chosen in 1967 to study under master carver John Taiapa at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia.

James Rickard (Tainui, Ngāti Porou) - Tohunga Whakairo (Master Carver), Tumu Whakarae (Head of The School). 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.’

Clive Fugill (Ngāi Te Rangi) - Tohunga Whakairo (Master Carver), Tumu Whakarae (Head of The School)
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. 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."

Download PDF Carving School Graduates (from 1967 - 1st intake to present day)

Taonga Treasure Gallery - Here at Te Puia we offer you the chance to take away traditional Māori carvings, beautiful handcrafted pieces made at the carving school. We also accept carving commissions.