August 19, 2014
Carvers an after thought
Carver Rewi Spraggon says iwi could do a lot more to support the creative arts.
Mr Spraggon is coordinatng the sacred chisels project, in which a group of carvers from Auckland’s mana whenua iwi are making a lintel for the Auckland Council’s new headquarters.
He says it’s welcome work for the tohunga whakairo, and it has also been a chance for them to share their experiences about the sacrifices needed to keep the traditional arts alive.
He says carvers are undervalued by their iwi trust boards, who prefer to hire lawyers and policy analysts.
"We’re an after thought, but when those policy writers are dead. their policies would probably have changed six times in their lifetime. When a carver is dead their carvings remain and they are remembered for 800 years, so you tell me who is important. They are the keepers of our history, our knowledge, our whakapapa. They tell the stories of Tamaki," Mr Spraggon says.
A trust is being formed to raise money to pay accredited tohunga whakairo a retainer, so they don’t have to wait for the next tunnel, bridge or library project.
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