Rotorua artist's designs to appear on coins

A local Maori artist's designs are set to feature in New Zealand Post's Maori Art coin series released next month.

The Hei Matau coin, the second in the series to date, depicts a matau (traditional Maori fish hook) with a small piece of pounamu (greenstone) set into it.

The design was the work of Te Puia tutor and carver Lewis Gardiner.

Though happy with his design, Mr Gardiner said he was not one to get over excited about things and the exposure of the art to a more international audience was more important to him.

"It's just good we can promote Maori art and culture to an international market. It's also good to see it on materials other than traditional ones like whale bone or pounamu," he said.

The design for the coin was initially commissioned for the 60c stamp in this year's New Zealand Post Matariki stamp issue.

Only 250 of the 1oz gold proof coin are to be released worldwide, and will sell initially for $3500 each, while the silver coin would have 3000 pieces made at $139 each.

Lois Ion of Stamps and Coins in Rotorua said she expected the coins to sell fast and hoped local Maori would take the opportunity to get one of the rare collectibles.

"We are very fortunate that all the rare Maori art coins have a strong whakapapa connection to Te Arawa. The [gold coin] mintage of 250 is extremely low and could sell extremely fast while the silver, if anything like the Heitiki coins [2010 collection] should sell very well," she said.

The carver of 20 years said he did not really like the association of money with his work, it was more to do with the artwork itself and people appreciating the piece.

"With an artist you're only really as good as your last piece and for me the value comes from the profile your artwork gives you. That's what will open doors for you," the carver of Ngati Pikiao descent said.

Mr Gardiner has done previous work with New Zealand Post and other large companies like adidas. He believed that professionalism and respect was an important part of his line of work.

"You have to look after your profile, your integrity and your clients ... I think it's just to treat all people the way you would like to be treated," the carver of 20 years said.