Hone Taiapa
Encyclopedia
Hone Taiapa, also known as John Taiapa (10 August 1911 – 10 May 1979) was a Māori wood carver and carpenter
of Ngati Porou
descent. He was the younger brother of master Māori carver, Pine Taiapa. The two brothers worked closely with politician Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata
on reintroducing Māori sculpture to the country after World War II
. Both men, for example, demonstrated Māori carving skills by carving traditional homes on the North Island in marae
as part of a program by the New Zealand Department of Education
to educate teachers to reintroduce Māori arts to school children. New Zealand poet Hone Tuwhare
included a poem about the wood carver, "On a theme by Hone Taiapa," in his 1973 collection, Something Nothing.
He led the team of carvers that carved most of the pieces for Arohanui ki te Tangata in Lower Hutt, which was opened in September 1960.
He was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours.
He was the head of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
Carving School at Whakarewarewa
, Rotorua
when it opened in 1967.
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
of Ngati Porou
Ngati Porou
Ngāti Porou is a Māori iwi traditionally located in the East Cape and Gisborne regions of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngāti Porou has the second-largest affiliation of any iwi in New Zealand, with 71,910 registered members in 2006...
descent. He was the younger brother of master Māori carver, Pine Taiapa. The two brothers worked closely with politician Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata
Apirana Ngata
Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata was a prominent New Zealand politician and lawyer. He has often been described as the foremost Māori politician to have ever served in Parliament, and is also known for his work in promoting and protecting Māori culture and language.-Early life:One of 15 children, Ngata...
on reintroducing Māori sculpture to the country after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Both men, for example, demonstrated Māori carving skills by carving traditional homes on the North Island in marae
Marae
A marae malae , malae , is a communal or sacred place which serves religious and social purposes in Polynesian societies...
as part of a program by the New Zealand Department of Education
Department of Education (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Department of Education was, pre-1989, the public service department of the New Zealand Government responsible for pre-tertiary education...
to educate teachers to reintroduce Māori arts to school children. New Zealand poet Hone Tuwhare
Hone Tuwhare
Hone Tuwhare was a noted New Zealand poet of Māori ancestry. He is closely associated with The Catlins in the Otago region of New Zealand, where he lived for the latter part of his life.-Early years:...
included a poem about the wood carver, "On a theme by Hone Taiapa," in his 1973 collection, Something Nothing.
He led the team of carvers that carved most of the pieces for Arohanui ki te Tangata in Lower Hutt, which was opened in September 1960.
He was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours.
He was the head of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute opened in 1967 in Rotorua, New Zealand due to the impending threat of the loss of traditional Māori arts. In 1926 a Māori Arts and Crafts school had been established in Rotorua by Sir Apirana Ngata, and the new school continued the tradition in a...
Carving School at Whakarewarewa
Whakarewarewa
Whakarewarewa is a geothermal area within Rotorua city in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand...
, Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
when it opened in 1967.