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

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 (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.

Te hope a Tutanekai - Centrepiece carving for Westpac Bank Rotorua. Materials: Totara, Matai, Red Beech Burl and Kohatu (Stone), Stain application 2800mm x 470 x 300mm
Te hope a Tutanekai Centrepiece carving (detail) for Westpac Bank Rotorua.
Centrepiece carving at Westpac Bank Rotorua.
Centrepiece carving and Iwi Le Comte whanau at Westpac Bank Rotorua opening ceremony.
Westpac Bank Rotorua opening ceremony.
Katera Maihi (Kutz) Eugene, Iwi, Stefanie & Ian Wayne Grant (Reihana)Te hope a Tutanekai
Iwi Le Comte's Business Class window design for Westpac.
Tāwhirimātea, Māori God of Wind & Storms 2010 Eden Park. Materials: Swamp Kauri, Paua (Abalone Shell) 3400mm x 1000mm x 1000mm
Tāwhirimātea (Maori God) Wood Carving Eden Park Stadium, Auckland New Zealand
Tāwhirimātea (Maori God) Wood Carving Eden Park Stadium, Auckland New Zealand
Iwi carving the Tāwhirimātea Maori God sculpture destined for Eden Park stadium in Auckland New Zealand
Carved Pare (Door lintel) 2011 Private Commission Sydney, Materials: Totara, Paua (Abolone shell) Stain Application 700mm x 300mm x 50mm
Taiaha (Long Weapon) with mount 2011, Kings College Auckland. Materials: Black Maire, Tōtara, Feathers & Paua Shell 1400mm x 100mm x 40mm
Taiaha (Long Weapon) detail, 2011 Kings College Auckland. Materials: Black Maire, Tōtara, Feathers & Paua Shell 1400mm x 100mm x 40mm
Tama-te-kapua (Captain of Te Arawa Waka) 2009 Tutereinga Marae Tauranga NZ. Materials: Tōtara, Paua Shell, Stain Application 2100mm x 600mm x 70mm
Hoe (Navigation Paddle) 2010 Private Commission Adelaide. Materials: Matai, Paua Shell, Stain Application 1500mm x 300mm x 40mm
Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
Pare-Hōkioi (Sentinel) 2010 Private Commission USA. Materials: Tōtara, Paint & Stain Application 500mm x 1500mm x 40mm
Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi Carving a Waka-Huia (Sacred Maori Treasure Box) in Native Totara Wood
Papa-tū-ā-nuku (Earth Mother) 2010 Private Commission Norway. Materials: Totara, Paua Shell Stain Application 700mm x 300mm x 50mm
Carving Studio Rotorua 2011, Iwi demonstrating carving skill
Ngātoroirangi (Tohunga Priest) 2011, Private Comission Rotorua NZ. Materials: Tōtara, Paua (abalone shell), Stain applications 2000mm x 200 x 150
Poupou (Ancestral figure) 2011 Private Commission, Perth WA. Materials: Tōtara, Paua (abalone shell) Stain applications 600mm x 300mm x 40mm
Carving Studio Rotorua, Iwi with his unfinished carving of Te Ika-a-Māui (The Fish Of Maui)
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)
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)
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 Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo) Process
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)
Iwi Le Comte Tā Moko (Maori Tattoo)

Most recent project so far was for Westpac Bank in Rotorua, the construction of Te Hope a Tutanekai - a real challenge. Not only was it an honor and privilege to have a carving unveiled in the centre of my hometown, but also to leave something behind that future generations can aspire to.
"He Maunga nui, e kore e taea te whakaneke, He ngaru moana,mā te ihu o te waka wāhi"
A big mountain cannot be moved along, But a great wave can be pierced by the prow of a canoe.

Iwi Le Comte maori carving Videos

contact

   Iwi Le Comte, Ko-Iwi Arts Limited, Rotorua, New Zealand
   M: +64 274 431 475 | E: koiwiarts@gmail.com
   Please fill in your details for Carving Commissions, Ta Moko (Maori tattoo) bookings and up and coming exhibitions.