Whiting remembered as ‘exceptional’ arts leader

The New Zealand government has paid tribute to artist Cliff Whiting, a Māori master woodcarver and education policy adviser, following his death on 16 July.

Arts, culture and heritage minister Maggie Barry said the 81-year-old artist was “an exceptional New Zealander, a master carver who helped develop a new era of Māori arts, and a leader in the early days of Te Papa, our national museum.”

“His works, such as Te Marae at Te Papa, are widely recognised as masterpieces of contemporary Māori carving, fusing together modern artistic sensibility with a deep understanding and respect for the past,” Barry said.