Rongomai-Tawhiti Parata-Taiapa from Karitāne near Dunedin, is one of four students to graduate from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute’s (NZMACI) Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau (National Wood Carving School) in Rotorua recently.
Rongomai-Tawhiti is the grandson of well-known wood carver, Hone Te Kauru Taiapa (also known as John Taiapa) who, along with his older brother and master carver Pine Taiapa, worked closely with politician, Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata to reintroduce Māori sculpture to New Zealand after World War II. Hone was also head of the NZMACI Carving School when it opened in 1967. Rongomai-Tawhiti (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou), is carrying on the legacy of his whānau and honouring his koro and pāpā, who recently passed away.
“My last conversation with my pāpā was about how proud he was of me graduating from NZMACI. He taught me the importance of the traditions handed down to us by our tūpuna and the responsibilities we have to the future generations of our whānau.”
As the only South Islander at the Institute, Rongomai-Tawhiti is proud that he was able to represent his hapū, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, and would eventually like to take the skills he has learnt back home to give back to his people.
In Rongomai-Tawhiti’s second year, he was part of the NZMACI team that carved the 30 metre by 13 metre mahau (porch front), which was unveiled at Te Matatini National Kapa Haka competition in Rotorua in 2013. The largest carving in Aotearoa, the mahau was used to frame the main festival stage. He has now been chosen for an honours year at NZMACI, which he plans to do alongside completing his Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts at Te Wānanga o Aoteroa.
Connecting further with his Māori culture, Rongomai-Tawhiti has also been learning the art of the taiaha, and recently gained his Diploma in Te Ara Reo Māori, and joined Te Manu Huia Kapa Haka Group, performing with them on stage at Te Matatini last year.
“I have learnt so much on this journey of discovery. I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I have been presented with.”
A proud father to six-month-old daughter, Hamoterangi Simon-Parata, with his partner Patricia Simon, Rongomai-Tawhiti says whānau comes first for him.
“All of my lessons in Te Ao Māori are for my whānau and continuing our legacy.”
Originally legislated in 1926, NZMACI’s mandated cultural interests were combined with tourism at Te Puia, in Rotorua’s Te Whakarewarewa Valley following the broadening of the Act in 1963. This Act founded the school as a national organisation.
Students from iwi across Aotearoa have assembled at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, located at Te Puia, to learn the time-honoured Māori traditions that are in danger of being lost forever.
The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute’s Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau graduate, Rongomai-Tawhiti Parata-Taiapa.