Te ika a Māui (Carved panel)

In both its composition and execution, this wall panel exhibits the carving and weaving artistry that makes Rauru such an outstanding example of late-19th-century developments in Māori wood carving. It shows Māui – a hero in Māori mythology – pulling the North Island of New Zealand out of the depths of the ocean. It was created by Tene Waitere, who together with two other woodcarvers was commissioned to complete Rauru. Of special note in this panel is the perspectival portrayal of the head in semi-profile, which diverges clearly from the stylized formal vocabulary of the woodcarving typical of its period. The combination of traditional elements with influences from European art can only be found in the works that Tene Waitere produced for European clients. He used these commissions to explore new compositional principles. The works he created for the Māori continued to conform with the traditional canon of representation. Today, Tene Waitere is considered one of the most important modern Māori wood sculptors.