Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Matua: Tippy Haeres of a Principal Carver

November 15, 2010 by  
Filed under Main Blog

When they buried our friend Haami Moeke Snr QSM, it was entirely fitting that he should be taken to his final resting place in his aging diesel van. We friends, Juliet and I stood next to each other watching as the pallbearers carried him between a garland of fierce young warriors performing the haka.

Matua: Sun through a Rock

November 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Main Blog

Many years ago, my artist friend Whero Te Whata asked me, “how do you see the sun through a rock?” I was young and I had no idea! He didn’t answer me immediately but

Haami

November 8, 2009 by  
Filed under Main Blog

My friend Haami (pronounced Har-me) Moeke QSM is a kaumatua. That is, a respected elder in the Maori community. I call him matua. To me, he’s like the Ruahine Ranges that have an abiding presence across the eyeline of