The decline of traditional carving in the Cook Islands and New Zealand due to globalisation threatens the loss of cultural heritage, prompting efforts to revive and preserve this ancient art form.

This was the key focus during the recent Tātai Hononga, a two-week carving symposium that brought together five New Zealand and four local carvers at the Gallery Tavioni and Vananga in Atupa.

The symposium, led by Michael Matchitt, aimed to share knowledge and preserve a cultural tradition that is at risk of being lost.

Modern life, with its focus on technology and new ways of thinking, has caused many young people to turn away from traditional arts, and Matchitt, an experienced carver from New Zealand, stressed the importance of events like the Tātai Hononga symposium in keeping carving alive.

“The symposium was a way to share each other’s knowledge and skill of carving to help each other build a legacy,” explains Matchitt.

He believes carving should remain true to its roots, representing culture and personal expression rather than just catering to tourists.

“Carving is a strong representation of culture and must be promoted to the world.”

Matchitt’s vision is to showcase the skills of carving through exhibitions and encourage people to use carving as a way to express their identities and new ideas.

Gallery Tavioni and Vananga’s Michael Tavioni, a renowned Cook Islands carver, spoke during the symposium about the vital role of carving in preserving culture.

“The local Ministry of Culture has been solely focused on dancing as a way of promoting culture and has not given enough credit to the fact that carving and other forms of traditional art are equally important in protecting our cultural heritage,” shared Tavioni.

His concern highlights a growing trend among younger generations to overlook traditional arts in favour of modern interests. Due to this Tavioni has been using his gallery as a workshop to train young university and college students the art of carving, painting and many other forms of traditional art.

A lack of interest in carving also raises concerns that knowledge and skills required for this art form might be lost forever. As the elders, who hold these skills, pass away, there is a real danger that the craftsmanship and cultural significance of carving will vanish with them.

This concern was echoed by young local carver Oliver Oolders, who participated in the symposium and shared his deep connection to carving.

Oolders, who carved a Tangaroa statue during the event, spoke of his love for both carving and sailing.

“My piece is inspired by the fact that I am a young sailor who has been strongly connected to the Moana, the ocean.”

Explaining the historical importance of his work, Oolders notes that in the past, Pacific voyagers would carve a Tangaroa statue in front of the Vaka for good luck and protection.

“As a young person, I find passion in carving and sailing, and it has been an honour to carve my own Tangaroa statue while also captaining our Vaka on the next return voyage.”

Tātai Hononga carving symposium ended with an exhibition on Saturday last week to celebrate the connections made over the 10-day gathering.

According to Gallery Tavioni and Vananga, the outcomes of the gathering were connections that transcended “art”/toi whakairo/taratarai and went into actual genealogical connections, growing up in the same places, knowing each other’s families and friends.

“The manifestation of the learning and discovery were an array of creative and conscientious taonga, all tied to the theme of reciting the ancestral ties of Māori people. Each one carved out of toa rakau (iron wood) and displayed for our community and visitors to enjoy.

“The symposium may have ended but we’ve really just begun. Reciting our papa’anga (whakapapa) is a long and deeply powerful process. To honour our tupuna is to ensure the korero and vananga continue.”