Poroporoaki: Dr Clifford Hamilton Whiting (ONZ)

Auē taukuri e!
Kei te ringa rehe o te ao toi, haere atu rā koe.
Nāhau rā ngā mahi a ngā mātua tīpuna i whakairo.
Ki te rino, ki te rākau, ā, ki te whatumanawa hoki o te tangata.
Ko koe tēnei kua riro ki te kāpunipunitanga o te wairua, nō reira haere atu rā koe.
Waiho mai ko mātau o te Rōpū Tōrangapū Māori me tō ao Māori hei mihi, hei tangi, hei poroporoaki atu ki a koe.

The Māori Party mourn the loss of a pioneer of modern Māori art Dr Clifford Hamilton Whiting (ONZ).

Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says the master carver was responsible for creating a number of great art works including the beautiful marae at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

“I have attended a number of functions at Te Papa and Cliff’s work was a true masterpiece. The marae always enhanced the occasion,” Mr Flavell says.

“He was a real pioneer not just of modern Māori art but his work with traditional whakairo was a wonder to behold.”

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox says along with Dr Whiting being a respected artist and carver, he was a teacher, lecturer and helped introduce Māori art in schools.

“His work was truly magnificent with a number of his large-scale works on display in places like the Christchurch High Court, the National Archives as well as in Te Papa,” Ms Fox says.

“His name is right up there with a number of other great artists of the modern Māori art movement such as the late Ralph Hotere and Paratene Matchitt.”

Born in 1936, in Te Pōhue Dr Whiting’s work has spanned more than 50 years Mr Flavell says.

“Cliff’s work was truly innovative and bold and he lead the way with Māori art forms.

“His approach to art was revolutionary and he wasn’t afraid to challenge traditional concepts of Māori art.

“His passing is a huge loss to the Māori art world. Our condolences go out to his whānau at this time,” Mr Flavell says.

Dr Whiting held a number of influential roles during his auspicious career including the chairman of the Council for Māori and South Pacific arts and Arts Advisor to the Department of Education.

He was appointed to the Member of The Order of New Zealand in 1998.

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