Aoterangi Cotter is expanding his creative practice with a range of toi Māori artwork across multiple mediums.

The talented carver has created pieces locally and for overseas clients, with works going to Canada, Japan and Tahiti.

He is now working to expand his own skills beyond traditional Māori wood carving by incorporating stone and bone carving into his work while sharing his knowledge and building on local foundations through workshops and courses.

Traditional Māori carving was a journey Aoterangi started straight from Wairoa College when he completed three years studying whakairo at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Craft Institute in Rotorua. He learned under master carvers, developing a strong foundation in tikanga, carving techniques, and the philosophies that underpin Māori art.

Last year, he and his wife, Kiriwera, took the next step in their journey, setting up their own business, which enabled Aoterangi to focus solely on toi Māori, from prints and digital Māori art to tattooing.

Aoterangi says Rangi.Ahua Ltd is about ensuring the next generation is equipped to continue these essential practices and is dedicated to teaching the art of whakairo. “I have had the privilege of holding workshops that teach emerging Māori artists the intricate techniques of traditional wood carving, fostering a deeper connection to tikanga and cultural responsibility. These workshops have allowed me to pass on my knowledge while nurturing the growth of other Māori artists. I recognise the work we are doing is deep, and I try to ensure the workshops and courses come across in a casual way, in an easy learning space where nothing is forced. I am committed to sharing my learnings, discoveries, and reflections to ensure the knowledge I gain benefits my own community as well as the wider Māori arts community.”

In addition to his courses, Aoterangi is available for commission pieces and has completed a range of works, from life-size carvings to tiny, intricate pieces.

He has also produced a range of prints that are for sale at the Wairoa isite and museum and has been expanding into digital art, such as designing the kit for the Nuhaka Rugby Club.

Aoterangi describes his style as traditional with some enhancements, and while all the media he works with have their own characteristics, his favourite is working with whale bone because of the way it holds and behaves.

Aoterangi hopes to hold another exhibition and wants to work with other artists collaboratively. “By exhibiting my work and engaging with audiences, I will be able to share the cultural, spiritual, and artistic significance of traditional Maori carving, contributing to the ongoing revitalisation and evolution of Māori carving practices.”

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11 December 2025

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