Niho Māpara

Pat Hakaraia (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Kāi Tahu), is a co-founder and trustee of Māoriland as well as a local Ōtaki carver. Currently semi-retired from his long-term lawn mowing business, he also studies whakairo at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, dedicating much of his spare time to wood, stone and bone carving. He draws on his Kāi Tahu whakapapa to develop a deeper and more profound connection with pounamu. Most of the pounamu he sources are off-cuts from Lewis Gardiner (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Kāi Tahu). Pat likes to experiment with various materials, including apple tree wood, deer antler, and other types of stones such as māpara (marble) or tioka (soapstone)