New Zealand Greenstone | Pounamu (Jade) Carvers | Pounamu Carving School Carvers

Thomas Tamati Pounamu Carver pounamu carving - New Zealand Greenstone (jade) Lewis Gardiner Head tutor Pounamu Carving School

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Lewis Tamihana Gardiner (Ngāti Pikiao / Ngāi Tahu / Te Whānau a Apanui / Ngai ) - Head Tutor (right).
Lewis’ desire to learn is simple, "Appreciation of traditional Māori adornment expanded to the beauty of Pounamu." As a tutor he hopes his students will also grasp this appreciation "to plant the seeds of Māori art and design."

Thomas Tamati (Ngāti Ranginui) - Pounamu Carver (left)
Tommy, as he’s known at Te Puia, returns to the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute (NZMACI) where he also completed his Whakairo (Māori Carving) diploma. Having also graduated from Waiariki Polytechnic with a Diploma in Visual Arts, Tommy is a very skilled artist in his own right. "To come back (here) with another skill, Pounamu, adds to the NZMACI kete (basket)."

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 puonamu (jade) carving commissions.