Give a little to help a NZ Treasure!

Master carver Matahi Whakataka Brightwell is the artistic creator of the iconic Māori Rock Carvings sculpture of the great navigator and high priest Ngātoroirangi, which is a major tourist attraction on Lake Taupō. As most acclaimed artists know, acquiring enough funding to create can be a struggle, so we are asking New Zealand to ‘Give a Little’ to help with the renovation of the Māori Rock Carvings

The importance of the sculpture to Mr Brightwell, his iwi and to the Taupō district has spanned generations, with tourists from all over the world travelling out on the Lake to take a picture of his masterpiece.

The sculpture of Ngātoroirangi, and the smaller sculptures of tūpuna (ancestors) and kaitiaki (guardians) nearby were created in the 1970s by Mr Brightwell and a team of four others: Jono Randell, Te Miringa Hohaia, Dave Hegglun and Steve Myhre. It was at the request of Mr Brightwell's grandmother, Te Huatahi Susie Gilbert, who asked her grandson to create a likeness of Ngātoroirangi to create a permanent connection for her family to the land. With no suitable totara tree available, Mr Brightwell journeyed on to Lake Taupō for inspiration.

Nowadays the sculpture is one of New Zealand's most extraordinary artworks and a major drawcard for visitors to the area. It is also a major representation for the Māori people of New Zealand in the tourism sector.

The renovations will take place over the next few months, please ‘Give a Little’ New Zealand to help this amazing artist Matahi Whakataka Brightwell to keep this beautiful Taonga preserved.