11 Facts About Pakariki Harrison

Pakaariki "Paki" Harrison was a New Zealand master carver from Ngati Porou.

Pakariki Harrison is regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest carvers.

Pakariki Harrison was born in Ruatoria, the eldest of 21 children.

Pakariki Harrison was raised by his grandmother Materoa Reedy and attended Hiruharama Native School.

Whilst attending Te Aute College, Pakariki Harrison was introduced to carving by master carver, Pine Taiapa who became a lifelong influence.

Pakariki Harrison was educated at Massey University and Auckland Teachers College.

Ranginui Walker writes that Pakariki Harrison possessed "immense knowledge about the traditional arts of the carver, extending way beyond the actual physical arts to include its most ancient aspects - the symbolism contained in Maori art - to its role in transmitting old tribal history".

Pakariki Harrison wrote, taught and researched the art of Maori carving.

Pakariki Harrison was awarded an honorary LittD by the University of Auckland in 1991.

Pakariki Harrison was named a living icon of New Zealand arts by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand in 2005.

In 2008, a biography of Pakariki Harrison written by Ranginui Walker, Tohunga Whakairo: Paki Pakariki Harrison, The Story of a Master Carver was published by Penguin Books.