But the legacy of the oak tree lives on, as it was carved and transformed into sculptures - many of which are now displayed locally.
Rae says this ultimately began as a fundraiser for their local school, where carvings were auctioned.
A year on, the event has been extended an extra week with more artists ready to display their skills, share their knowledge and support the local kura.
“We have big ideas about making this an opportunity for people to learn and get inspired in this [different] way of doing life,” Rae says.
Artists and Organisers of last year's Ngākau Carving Symposium in Thames.
Artist Henry is one of the few wāhine carvers involved in this year’s symposium and is the only artist based overseas.
She says while carving is not a common practice for Cook Island wāhine, she felt inspired to pick up the chisel five years ago.
“[I had] all these wonderful carving friends and some of them were women. I [was] inspired [by] how they were able to take a natural form and enhance it and add to it,
“The variation in the basalt [stone in Rarotonga] is what drew me to pick up the tools and start carving”.
Grace Henry stone-carving in Rarotonga.
In addition to whakairo (carving) from a mix of professional and emerging artists, this year’s symposium will also feature tukutuku (woven lattice panels), raranga (weaving) and other traditional art forms.
Carving will also be done with different rākau (woods), kōhatu (stones) and locally sourced materials - even trees brought down by Cyclone Gabrielle will be used to bring this vision to life.
The symposium will launch on April 18 where artists will be stationed on the school field, completing their respective pieces over two weeks. There will be carving and tukutuku workshops across this period for people of all ages and skill levels.
“I think the whole ethos about [this] symposium is to give people the opportunity not only to see it, but pick up a tool and work with a piece of stone,” Henry says.
“Everybody has different tools and then you see [them] working differently - you’re continuously inspired about what’s possible”.
