5 Aug 2014

Bronze bust to be offered to King

6:45 am on 5 August 2014

A New Zealand-born artist, who in the 1980's started work on a bronze bust of the first Maori King, Potatau Te Wherowhero, is hoping to be able to gift the work to the current Maori King.

The current Maori King Tuheitia Paki - expected to decide on bust of first king.

The current Maori King Tuheitia Paki - expected to decide on bust of first king. Photo: AFP

Gary Schofield, who now lives in Washington DC, spent a number of years refining the sculpture and the process was documented in a television arts programme at the time.

Since the bust was completed it has been stored in this country, out of the public eye.

Mr Schofield said he hopes the work will be accepted and placed under the guardianship of the Kingitanga after he meets with Kingi Tuheitia on 8 August.

He was ready to hand over what he regarded as his greatest work, so it can be seen.

Mr Schofield said he believed now was the right time to give the sculpture to Waikato-Tainui and he hoped it would be accepted.