The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 8 (April 1, 1932.)

Maori Arts and Crafts

Maori Arts and Crafts.

His Excellency Lord Bledisloe, who exhibits so keen an interest in all phases of New Zealand life, has given his benediction to the cause of the preservation of the ancient Maori arts of carving and weaving and house decoration. His kindly concern for the survival of all that is fine and picturesque in the Maori's characteristic culture is one more proof of the fact that the distinctive customs and art of the native race are appreciated more highly by travellers and other temporary sojourners among us than they are by many New Zealanders themselves. The same remark applies with force to our native vegetation, the splendid forests that no exotic trees can ever adequately replace. It is the intelligent visitor from overseas who is most enthusiastic about the New Zealand bush and the native birds. Maori art, in the form of carving houses and weaving mats, has almost disappeared from some districts, but His Excellency's appeal to the young people to treasure all that is beautiful and skilful and of traditional value pertaining to their race, has already won a response. The Government school of carving at Rotorua has been in operation some years, and is doing good work, but there is no reason why this branch of Maori culture should be centralised there or standardised. The more the various large centres of Maoridom revive and develop their own ancient patterns and technique the better. Wanganui has made a start, and now there is a scheme under way to found a School of Arts and Crafts at Tokaanu, the headquarters of the Ngati-Tuwharetoe tribe. All this is excellent, and should be encouraged by all New Zealanders; it all goes to heighten the unusual charm of travel in the North Island at anyrate; it conserves an ancient culture racy of the soil, and it gives the young Maori with special aptitude an occupation which can be made a profitable little industry.