4 Jul 2018

Tongan artist carves stars for Matariki

From , 5:00 am on 4 July 2018

A Tongan is among 10 artists who have told their own stories of the stars by carving stone sculptures as part of a symposium for Matariki or Maori New Year celebrations in New Zealand.

The aim behind the carving symposium was to create a unique maramataka or Maori lunar calendar compass.

Twelve sculptures were carved from Oamaru stone in five days last month in South Auckland's Manukau.

Auckland City Council's Ole Maiava told Sara Vui-Talitu about the work of sculptor Filipe Tohi, who's known for using the ancient Tongan art of lalava, or lashing made out of coconut straw.

Stone carvers at a carving symposium in Manukau South Auckland.

Stone carvers at a carving symposium in Manukau South Auckland. Photo: Supplied.