By RENEE KIRIONA
Descendants of Maori who posed for Goldie are upset by a business which reproduces the paintings.
North Shore-based Vintage Art is selling copies of paintings by the artist known for his meticulously detailed portraits of Maori.
Mike and Nicole Doherty promise to "create the precise reproduction almost perfect to the original work except for the lack of ageing".
But descendants of two of Goldie's models are not impressed.
Wiremu Puke, a great-great-grandson of Wiremu Patara Te Tuhi, who was a chief from Ngati Wairere (Tainui), said he was more sad than angry about the couple not talking to descendants.
"It does not hurt to talk or to be best informed about the history of those people," Mr Puke said.
"The feelings we have for those pictures is no different to having a photo of a newborn baby or someone in the family that has died."
Pat Ruka, a great-great-grandson of Ena Te Papatahi, who was a chieftainess from Ngati Whatua and Ngati Paoa, agreed.
"I'm offended there was no talk and it's even more sad that we as descendants can't do anything about it because they are within their legal rights," he said.
Copyright in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works continues for 50 years after the death of the author. Goldie died in 1947.
Mr Doherty said that because Vintage Art was not breaking copyright laws, there was no obligation to consult.
"The work is public property so there was no need for us to talk with them.
"I think they should be as happy ... It will spark interest in Maori culture rather than the single person."
Mr Puke said perhaps the law should be revisited.
"I'm not saying I'm against what they have done, but that we need to be assured that those paintings will be valued and respected."
Art historian Roger Blackley, author of the book Goldie, agreed with the descendants, saying there was an "ethical and cultural obligation to consult".
The Auckland Art Gallery, which holds the largest collection of original Goldie paintings, also agreed.
Since starting the business, the Dohertys have sold more than 100 works, priced between $280 and $500, to mainly overseas clients. An original Goldie sells for between $100,000 and $400,000.
Unlike convicted Goldie forger Karl Sim, they are not trying to fool anyone into believing their products are the real thing.
Sim leaped to notoriety during his prosecution for art forgery in the 1980s. He later changed his name by deed poll to Carl Fedor Goldie.
Mrs Doherty came up with the reproduction idea through working with international students who wanted souvenirs other than a "plastic tiki" or a "paua shell".
Goldie copies upset Maori descendants
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