Story: Whakairo – Māori carving

Raharuhi Rukupō, one of the greatest tohunga whakairo (expert carvers) of the 19th century, carved this poupou (wall carving) of himself in the early 1840s. This and other poupou were produced by Rukupō (of Rongowhakaata) and 18 other tohunga whakairo for the great whare whakairo (carved house) Te Hau-ki-Tūranga. The poupou shows Rukupō holding a ceremonial greenstone toki (adze), although Te Hau-ki-Tūranga was apparently carved with steel-bladed tools and is the oldest surviving house made in this way.