NZ Māori Arts & Crafts Institute carving gifted by Jacinda Ardern during mission to Singapore

The carving was expertly crafted from the trunk of a 2500-year-old tōtara. Photo / Supplied

A bespoke, three-piece kūwaha carving created in Rotorua accompanied Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as a gift during her trade mission to Singapore and Japan this week.

The carving, expertly crafted from the trunk of a 2500-year-old tōtara, was gifted to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, making it the first Māori carving from NZ Māori Arts & Crafts Institute to leave Aotearoa shores since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

The taonga, named Tāne Te Waiora, was particularly special being the last significant piece to be created at the hands of NZMACI tohunga whakiro master carver James Rickard before his retirement this month.

It was carved by Rickard and supported by specialist carver Tommy Herbert at NZMACI on the grounds of Te Puia in Rotorua.

While Rickard was unable to accompany the carving to its final resting place, Herbert and a small contingent from Te Puia were part of the delegation there to gift Tāne Te Waiora.

Rickard said the kūwaha was a doorway to a house in Māori culture and, in this instance, was a metaphor for identity.

"We are welcoming people into our whare, our house, strengthening the 'doorway' to Aotearoa for Singaporean people by sharing narratives of people and place.

"Aotearoa and Singapore's enduring and reciprocal relationship, and the history of Singapore as a long-standing trading post, are reflected in the pare (lintel), which connects the whakawae, as two tauihu (prow of a waka or sea vessel).

"At the centre of the pare is a wheku (carving of a face) depicting Hina, the personification of the moon."

The carving's name acknowledged Tāne as the personified form of sunlight and giver of life.

Tāne is represented through the two figures carved on the whakawae (upright supports), on the left and the right; Rongomātāne (atua or spiritual guardian of agriculture and cultivated crops) and Haumietiketike (atua or spiritual guardian of uncultivated/wild crops).

Rickard said completing his final piece felt the same as all the special taonga he had contributed to or led over the past 50 years.

"Every piece has a lot of thought and meaning go into its creation. My hope is that people take a moment to pause and contemplate what it means to them."

NZMACI general manager Eraia Kiel said Tāne Te Waiora was the first significant piece to be gifted internationally by NZMACI since the Covid-19 pandemic closed New Zealand's borders.

"This kūwaha highlights to our whānau and the world that while our borders may have been closed, NZMACI has continued with our mahi.

"The past two years we have spent imparting the knowledge of incredible master carvers like James Rickard to the next generation of artists and creating several significant pieces."

Kiel said NZMACI looked forward to showcasing Māori culture through its traditional art on the world stage once again.

"As the Prime Minister tells the world, Aotearoa is open for business. We too are ready, having spent the past two years reimagining our experience, ensuring it is authentic and meaningful for every manuhiri who walks through our gates."

- Supplied Content