“I began my journey in whakairo as an autodidact at age 12 and continued until age 15 when kaiwhakairo, Eddie Merito (Paparati), took me under his wing. Paparati, who was taught by his dad Dooley Merito, taught me to carve straight lines on MDF before carving one of the hardest patterns: niho taniwha.

Having both been tauira of mau rākau, Paparati taught me how to make taiaha. He informed me that there was a group of women that wanted to learn how to make their own taiaha. Together with Irirangi Toma, we founded the carving group “Te Aroha O Ngā Whakairo Rākau” where I was able to learn how to teach. This carried on for several years of people coming and going until it became inactive after Irirangi’s departure back to her whenua. Right on cue Pēti (Irihipeti) popped up with her wild ideas and Carving Gang was born…”

— Hayes Keepa @hayes_Keepa

"My dad was a carver. As the youngest of 13 and a woman, it was very unlikely for me to be taught to carry on his legacy. But ancestors would have other plans, lessons and roads that would bring me not only to this practise, but to Hayes as a kaiako (teacher). I too am an autodidact and an audacious one at that, thanks to my father. 

'Keep one foot on the land, and one foot in the river' my old people would say. Meaning to keep true to the old ways, and steadily focused on the changing world. So my practises and collaborations always reflect this. Carving Gang is no different. Staying true to our own whakapapa (lineage), following the tohu (signs) that navigate us into unknown spaces within ourselves to conjure wild ideas that continue legacy, create laughter, healing and kōrero (yarns)."

— Irihipeti Waretini