Press Releases
6 October 2000 - Issues with Maori Whale Bone Carving
The art of Maori whalebone carving will be the greatest casualty from the Government's decision to scrap funding for a whalebone-carving workshop at the 3rd Assembly and Conference of the World Council of Whalers in Nelson in November.
Rangi Kipa, a 34-year-old professional carver from Taranaki, was to take part in the workshop, as well as exhibit his carvings and other artwork.
"This was a real opportunity to share in the knowledge with other cultures that use whalebone for artwork, for traditional practices, and to learn about other people's techniques," Rangi Kipa said. "I'm disappointed that Te Puni Kokori have withdrawn their funding after pressure from the Government. The Ministry was very supportive of this workshop and I know of a lot of artists who were looking forward to learning more about the use of whalebone."
"I know that the Canadian and Greenland inuit have carving techniques they were keen to share with us, and I certainly wanted to pass on some of those traditional techniques that I have used with my artwork."
He said that although Maori did not perform whaling in the past, they did take advantage of stranded and beached whales for bone and teeth. However, traditional access to bone and teeth is hampered by the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978.
"Support for this conference is not support for the resumption of commercial whaling. Maori are not interested in commercial whaling. But many are concerned about the law relating to the use of whalebone. The law is outdated and needs changing, and that includes New Zealand's stand with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species."
Rangi Kipa, considered to be one of the best carvers of whalebone in New Zealand, says there a taonga that cannot be replicated through the use of beef bone, such as rei niho, nguru, putorino, patu paraoa and hoeroa.
"Some people suggest we shouldn't even use whalebone, but there are traditional taonga that cannot be carved from beef bone or other bone. I use whalebone first and foremost because there's an inherent cultural attachment to it but also because of its quality." Rangi Kipa said whalebone has a grain that is similar to wood, unlike that of beef bone. "It really offers a quality that you cannot get from anything else."