Book giveaway: Te Toi Whakairo – The Art of Maori Carving (2015)

Sir Sidney (Hirini) Moko Mead is one of the truly distinguished authors that we’ve had the privilege of working with over the ten years of Oratia Books. 

Over his long career he has been an innovator and leader across a range of academic and artistic fields, notably for his iwi of Ngāti Awa, for which he has received numerous honours including his knighthood. 

Hirini Moko Mead

From the 1950s on, Tā Hirini wrote pioneering works on Māori art forms of which he was himself an enthusiastic practitioner. Te Toi Whakairo: The Art of Maori Carving, which Oratia published in 2015, had been through various incarnations since its first publication in 1961 by A.H. & A.W. Reed “as a very humble little book”, as Hirini writes in the 2015 preface. The current edition is a comprehensively illustrated work of 276 pages.

Detailing the evolution of styles in history through to present-day forms, Te Toi Whakairo is a standard reference work for carvers as well as all those who appreciate Māori carving, and Oratia is committed to keeping it in print. Click here for more information.

Next month will see new life given to another of Hirini’s standard works on Māori art, with the publication on 15 August of Te Whatu Tāniko — Tāniko Weaving: Technique and Tradition, in a fully redesigned and expanded edition

Te Whatu Tāniko will be published in August

Visit our Fb Page  to be in to win a copy of Te Toi Whakairo: The Art of Maori Carving. Prize available to New Zealand residents only. 

Competition closes on Monday 15 July, and winner announced on Tuesday 16 July.

Rotorua hosts launch for a special book on Māori tools and carving

Te Toki me te Whao: The Story and Use of Māori Tools was launched at the Te Puia retail store last Friday 11 November.

Author Clive Fugill is the long-standing Master Carver in the carving school at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, which forms part of Te Puia.

His book provides the perspective of an esteemed practitioner on the origins, manufacture and use of tools in Māori arts and daily life.

It is also the first book on the subject in over a century.

The title means ‘The Adze and the Chisel’.

Addressing guests at the launch, Māori Arts and Crafts Institute General Manager Eraia Kiel noted that the title is very appropriate, as it highlights the key tools for carving.

Author Clive Fugill (left) being greeted by Eraia Kiel, General Manager
of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute

The book also covers the place of tools in mythology, usage elsewhere in the Pacific, and modern adaptations.

Clive Fugill (centre) with colleagues from the carving school

It is liberally illustrated with striking drawings by the author, and includes photos by Chris Hoult (who also took the featured launch photos).

Clive acknowledged the endorsement of Te Puia in bringing to fruition the book, which preserves knowledge that he has accumulated since he acquired his first adze at the age of nine.

Te Toki me te Whao  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-13-1  |  RRP $39.99

Paperback, 250 x 185 mm portrait, 160 pages (8 pages colour)

Publisher Peter Dowling of Oratia Books (left), with Clive Fugill and Eraia Kiel

Clive Fugill signing books at the launch

All photos courtesy Chris Hoult: https://chphotographydotcodotnz.wordpress.com

Te Toi Whakairo is published today

Te Toi Whakairo

The Art of Maori Carving

Hirini Moko Mead

New edition published today

Te Toi Whakairo is among the most comprehensive and valuable books published on Maori woodcarving, and has been out of print  for many years – until today.

Distinguished author Sir Sidney (Hirini) Moko Mead explores carving from its mythical origins to modern art, from the styles of Northland through to those of the South Island, from an explanation of basic techniques to the most elaborate surface decorations – with the help of hundreds of photos and drawings.

The book returns with a new cover and author’s note; in the latter, the author writes:

“Te Toi Whakairo lives on and is available to people who are interested in art in general, and especially in woodcarving that belongs to the traditions of this land.”

Sir Sidney (Hirini) Moko Mead is a leading authority on Maori art and culture. Born in 1927, he had a distinguished university career at Victoria University and internationally, has written numerous books, was a driving force behind the Te Maori exhibition, and has been a leader of his iwi, Ngati Awa. He was knighted in 2009 for services to Maori and education. Ta Hirini lives with his wife in Wellington.

Publication Date: 17 September 2015  |  ISBN: 978-1-877514-82-1  |  RRP $45

Paperback with flaps, 242 x 182 mm, 276 pages b&w