Tamatea Kopua
Uawa

 

Tamatea is the Managing Director of Tama Designer Limited,  a multi faceted creative business based in Uawa / Tolaga Bay on State Highway 35, East Coast, New Zealand.

At the age of  14, the former Te Aute College student began to learn from Master Carver and Kai Ta Moko Mark Kopua.  While living with 'Uncle Mark', Tamatea was immersed in Whakapapa (Genealogy), Mau Rakau (controlled Stick) and Karakia (Ritual Practice) while at the same time being encouraged to observe the practice of Whakairo (carving).  He recalls picking up the chisels for a 'tutu' whenever Uncle Mark was breaking for tea, quickly downing tools on his return, ever keen to practice what he was learning from observation.  

As Tamatea began to practice whakairo, he surprised even himself with the amount that he had learned through watching.  During his time with Mark, Tamatea had many opportunities to hone his skills in kowhaiwhai; he worked on projects such Kapiti College, commission for the National Treasury in Wellington.  Kowhaiwhai and whakairo skills continued in the houses Te Aotaihi (Awatere Marae) and Hinerupe in Te Araroa, further up the East Coast.  He assisted in the carving of pou for Tu-mata-uenga (Waiouru Military Camp Wharenui) Moana Ngarimu VC and Sir Apirana Ngata in Waiouru thus giving him much more than a solid grounding in Maori traditional art practices.

Tamatea applies his skills to a variety of types of projects.  A recent commission to design and carve contemporary styled balcony posts and balcony panels, for a modern home construction just south of Hamilton, in Tamahere is the kind of job which he keen to do more of.  The project drew on his knowledge and commitment to whakapapa as a branch of whakairo, while developing a contemporary strain of whakairo.  The house stands as an example of his openness to new ways and means of applying his skills.  Tamatea is committed to the development and appreciation of the universal application of Te Aho Matua, through 'nga mahi Toi' (the uppermost of the Arts'). Tamatea is always open to new and traditional works for a variety of audiences and clients.
Tamatea creates beautiful work.

You can contact Tamatea on manawa9@hotmail.com