James Rickard
Tumu Whakairo: 1st Intake
James was a student in the very first intake of Te Wananga Whakairo back in 1967 and has been involved with the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute for over four decades. James believes that the institute has created ‘an unbroken line of traditional art from Ruatepupuke (a Māori ancestor) down to today’s graduates.’ He is impressed with the influence that the institute has had on the retention of the art of whakairo.
Today, James looks forward to ‘a better future not only for the graduates of this school but for Māori culture in general.’