ko-iwi arts maori carver, ta moko, Artist, sculptor & designer

New Zealand Maori wood carving


Hokia ki ngā maunga kia purea koe e ngā hau a Tāwhirimātea
'Return to the mountains to be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea'

 

 

 

 

Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Tarawhai, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Ngāti Wahiao, Te Whakatane, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa

I was born and raised in Rotorua, New Zealand. Brought up around my Whare tipuna (ancestral meeting house), I was naturally attracted to the Maori art of carving. I began carving at high school. At the age of 15 I was too young to apply for a carving scholarship at New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (Te Puia), so I travelled to Australia where I lived for the next 10 years.

After reading Gordon Toi Hatfield’s book, "Dedicated by Blood", and a phone call from my father, I was encouraged to return home to continue carving.

I graduated from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in 2008. The course included 3 years of training under master carvers, Clive Fugill and Albert Te Pou. In 2009 I was accepted to an honors year. This included structural design for the Te Kakano Waka at Shanghai World Expo 2011 and carvings for Hamilton Gardens.

Today I am a fulltime Maori artist working from home in Rotorua. I work on various projects for private commissions and galleries. I not only carve but practice Ta Moko (Maori Tattoo). All my work is designed specifically for you and your budget.

Iwi Le Comte nz maori carver

iwi le comte (b.1978)
Maori Carver- ta moko - Sculptor - designer

I am grateful for my friends and mentors who always give me good advice; and for the happiness my family, Stefanie and our son Te Amo give me, without which my work would be incomplete.

  • Tāwhirimātea Māori Carving Eden Park
    Tāwhirimātea, Māori God of Wind & Storms 2010 Eden Park. Materials: Swamp Kauri, Paua (Abalone Shell) 3400mm x 1000mm x 1000mm
  • Tāwhirimātea Maori Carving Eden Park
    Tāwhirimātea (Maori God) Wood Carving Eden Park Stadium, Auckland New Zealand
  • Tāwhirimātea Maori Carving Eden Park
    Tāwhirimātea (Maori God) Wood Carving Eden Park Stadium, Auckland New Zealand
  • Tāwhirimātea Maori Carving Process
    Iwi carving the Tāwhirimātea Maori God sculpture destined for Eden Park stadium in Auckland New Zealand
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving with Mount
    Taiaha (Long Weapon) with mount 2011, Kings College Auckland. Materials: Black Maire, Tōtara, Feathers & Paua Shell 1400mm x 100mm x 40mm
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving Detail
    Taiaha (Long Weapon) detail, 2011 Kings College Auckland. Materials: Black Maire, Tōtara, Feathers & Paua Shell 1400mm x 100mm x 40mm
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving
    Tama-te-kapua (Captain of Te Arawa Waka) 2009 Tutereinga Marae Tauranga NZ. Materials: Tōtara, Paua Shell, Stain Application 2100mm x 600mm x 70mm
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving - Hoe (Paddle)
    Hoe (Navigation Paddle) 2010 Private Commission Adelaide. Materials: Matai, Paua Shell, Stain Application 1500mm x 300mm x 40mm
  • Studio Carving Maori Treasure Box
    Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
  • Studio Carving Maori Treasure Box
    Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving
    Pare-Hōkioi (Sentinel) 2010 Private Commission USA. Materials: Tōtara, Paint & Stain Application 500mm x 1500mm x 40mm
  • Studio Carving Maori treasure box
    Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
  • Iwi Le Comte Carving Maori Treasure Box
    Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi Carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving
    Papa-tū-ā-nuku (Earth Mother) 2010 Private Commission Norway. Materials: Totara, Paua Shell Stain Application 700mm x 300mm x 50mm
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving
    Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi demonstrating carving skill
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori carving
    Ngātoroirangi (Tohunga Priest) 2011, Private Comission Rotorua NZ. Materials: Tōtara, Paua (abalone shell), Stain applications 2000mm x 200 x 150
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving
    Poupou (Ancestral figure) 2011 Private Commission, Perth WA. Materials: Tōtara, Paua (abalone shell) Stain applications 600mm x 300mm x 40mm
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving Studio
    Carving Studio Rotorua, Iwi with his unfinished carving of Te Ika-a-Māui (The Fish Of Maui)
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving Detail
    Te Ika-a-Māui (The Fish Of Maui) 2011. Materials: Six Piece, Tōtara, Matai, Paua (Abalone Shell) 460mm x 1500mm x 70mm (enquire for purchase)
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving Detail
    Te Ika-a-Māui, The Fish Of Maui 2011. Materials: Six Piece, Tōtara, Matai, Paua (Abalone Shell) 460mm x 1500mm x 70mm (enquire for purchase)
  • Iwi Le Comte Maori Carving
    Te Ika-a-Māui (The Fish Of Maui 2011). Materials: Six Piece, Tōtara, Matai, Paua (Abalone Shell) 460mm x 1500mm x 70mm (enquire for purchase)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo) Process
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo) Process
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Ta Moko Maori Tattoo
    Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
  • Iwi Le Comte Surf Board Design
    Iwi Le Comte Tūturu Surf Board Design
  • Iwi Le Comte Surf Board Design Detail
    Tūturu Surf Board Design Detail
 

 

My Largest Project so far was from good friend Katera Maihi of Ngāti Whātua in the construction of Tāwhirimātea (God of Wind and Storms) - a 35,000 year old Swamp Kauri that weighed 4.5 tonne and stood 3.4 meters high, carved into a three dimensional figure. The carving now stands in Auckland’s Eden Park Stadium. It was a 10 week challenge, but an awesome learning project – Ngā mihi hoki ki a Ngāti Whātua me tō Tohunga Whakairo a Katera Maihi.

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Iwi Le Comte maori carving Videos

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contact

   Iwi Le Comte, Ko-Iwi Arts Limited, Rotorua, New Zealand 
   T: +647 348 5820  |  M: +6421 143 1475  |  SKYPE: iwi.lecomte Add me to Skype
   Please fill in your details for Carving Commissions, Ta Moko (Maori tattoo) bookings and up and coming exhibitions.