A new creative space in Nelson is set to change the face of Māori art in the region.
Tātou Studio, founded by carver and cultural consultant Kahu Paki Paki, is more than just a workshop – it’s a step towards professionalising Māori art and carving out a future for the next generation of artists.
After more than three decades of carving, Kahu has launched Tātou Studio to bridge a longstanding gap in the Māori arts community, offering a commercial, collaborative space that supports both traditional practice and modern design demands.
“Tātou is about succession,” says Kahu. “We’ve built this to be a co-op space for weavers, carvers, digital artists, anyone working within toi Māori. It’s not just about creating beautiful pieces; it’s about building a structure around the art so it can thrive in both cultural and commercial spheres.”
Unlike his early years selling bone carvings at flea markets when Māori art was dismissed as “trinkets,” the demand for meaningful, authentic Māori expression in public and commercial projects has grown.
Kahu says Tātou Studio is designed to meet that demand, with a focus on consultancy and project delivery that includes storytelling, cultural engagement, and professional standards.
Already, the studio is delivering large-scale commissions across the region, from Richmond Mall and Sylvan Forest to Nelson Hospital and corporate clients like WSP.
“We don’t just make art,” he says. “We create work with meaning, narratives tied to place, history, and whakapapa.”
While the studio is 100 per cent commercially funded, Kahu stresses its outcomes are community-focused. Plans are underway to run sponsored wānanga (learning sessions) where artists and carvers produce public artworks funded by local businesses, with a model that gives back to the community rather than relying on traditional retail or gallery sales
The studio also fills a crucial gap between grassroots learning and professional practice. “We have amazing training happening at marae like Te Āwhina in Motueka, but that’s 45 minutes away. Tātou is the next step, the professional pathway,” he says.
Operating from a self-fitted space in Tāhunanui, the studio is almost ready to officially launch.
“We need everything from woodworking tools and dust-extraction equipment to ideas on how to create an online sales platform and more.”
Anyone who wants to contribute to the space can email kahu@tatouprojects.co.nz
