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Based in Rotorua, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) is the home of the national schools of carving (including pounamu and bone) and weaving.
The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Act (1963) sets out the Institute as a legal entity, as well as defining its functions to preserve, promote and perpetuate Māori arts and crafts.
It is this legislation that governs the day to day activities of both NZMACI and Te Puia.
As a recipient and guardian of a strong nationally focused cultural legacy, NZMACI has been able to position itself at the forefront of Māori cultural representation, locally, nationally and internationally.
The Act reinforces this foundation and is unique internationally in its explicit recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to the preservation and practice of their traditional arts, crafts and culture.
The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Act (1963) identifies seven functions of the Institute:
a) To encourage, foster and promote all types of Maori culture and practice and appreciation of Māori arts and crafts.
b) To train Maori in the practice of Maori arts and crafts.
c) To provide demonstrations or exhibitions of Maori arts and crafts and suitable premises for any such demonstrations or exhibitions.
d) To arrange and conduct exhibitions of Maori arts and crafts and tours of performers demonstrating Maori arts and aspects of Maori culture.
e) Develop and maintain areas in the Rotorua district or elsewhere as scenic or tourism attractions
f) To foster and maintain public interest in Maori culture and Maori arts and crafts.
g) Toassistin the preservation of Maori culture and Maori arts and crafts.
“Ko te taura whiri, he whiri i te tangata – The flax fibre cord is like the cord that connects people”
The original weaving school – Te Whare Raranga – was established in 1969, shortly after the carving school. It was run by New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute’s first employed weaving tutor, internationally renowned weaver, Emily Schuster (QSM, OBE).
“Ehara i a te rākau te whakaaro, kei ā te Tohunga tārai i te rākau te whakaaro – It is a carver, not the wood that has the understanding – If you forget your ancestors, you too are forgotten”
Since the first intake at Te Wānanga Whakairo, many young Māori from iwi (tribes) throughout New Zealand have been taught the Māori practice of wood carving under the expert guidance of master carvers who were once trainees at the school.
At Te Takapū, students learn the revered tradition of carving pounamu (Nephrite-Jade/Greenstone), bone and stone.
The school opened on 5 October 2009, expanding on NZMACI’s commitment to maintaining, developing and promoting the arts, crafts and culture of iwi Māori (Māori tribes) as mandated by the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute Act (1963) (History).
When darkness falls the true love story of Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland comes to life. Discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands – featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud and beautiful native bush. Until now, the magic hidden within Te Puia after hours has remained a secret that only Mother Nature has truly been exposed […]
