Pakaariki Harrison
| Pakaariki Harrison QSO | |
|---|---|
| Born |
6 July 1928 Ruatoria, New Zealand |
| Died |
29 December 2008 (aged 80) Harataunga, New Zealand |
| Alma mater |
Massey University Auckland Teachers' College |
| Known for | Carving |
| Spouse(s) | Hinemoa Harrison |
| Awards |
Honorary LittD, University of Auckland (1991) |
Pakaariki "Paki" Harrison QSO (6 July 1928 – 29 December 2008) was a New Zealand master carver from Ngāti Porou. He is regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest carvers.[1]
Early life
Harrison was born in Ruatoria, the eldest of 21 children. He was raised by his grandmother Materoa Reedy and attended Hiruhārama Native School.[2] Whilst attending Te Aute College, Harrison was introduced to carving by master carver, Pine Taiapa who became a lifelong influence.[3] He was educated at Massey University and Auckland Teachers College.[2]
Carving
Ranginui Walker writes that Harrison possessed "immense knowledge about the traditional arts of the carver, extending way beyond the actual physical arts to include its most ancient aspects - the symbolism contained in Māori art - to its role in transmitting old tribal history".[2] Harrison wrote, taught and researched the art of Māori carving.[1] With the support of his wife Hinemoa, Harrison supervised the construction of ten carved wharenui including: Te Waiariki at Whaiora marae, Ōtara (1977); Te Ōtāwhao at Te Awamutu College (1985); Tānenuiārangi at Waipapa marae, University of Auckland (1988); Rākairoa, Haratuanga marae, Kennedy Bay (1996); and Ngā Kete Wānanga, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ōtara (1999).[4]
Recognition
Harrison was awarded an honorary LittD by the University of Auckland in 1991.[3] In 1997, Harrison and his wife, Hinemoa, received Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu: Supreme Award from Creative New Zealand.[5]
In the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours Harrison was appinted a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for community service.[6]
In 2002, Harrison was named as the leader of the design team for Toi Iho / Māori Made mark for Creative New Zealand. The same year, He Tohunga Whakairo, a documentary about Harrison, directed by Moana Maniapoto and Toby Mills, won best Māori language programme at the New Zealand Television Awards.[7]
Harrison was named a living icon of New Zealand arts by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand in 2005.[3] In 2008, a biography of Harrison written by Ranginui Walker, Tohunga Whakairo: Paki Harrison, The Story of a Master Carver was published by Penguin Books.[8]
References
- 1 2 "Master Carver Pakariki Harrison". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- 1 2 3 Walker, Ranginui (2008). Tohunga Whakairo: Paki Harrison. Auckland NZ: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780143010067.
- 1 2 3 "Dr Pakariki Harrison - Carver". The Arts Foundation of New Zealand. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ↑ "Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae". Manukau Institute of Technology. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ↑ "Te Waka Toi Awards". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2000 (including special list for East Timor)". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2000. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ↑ "Tohunga Whakairo". NZ on Screen. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ↑ Daly-Peoples, John. "Paki Harrison - carved into history". National Business Review. Retrieved 26 January 2015.