Kāhui whetū : contemporary Māori art : a carver's perspective / Roi Toia and Todd Couper ; photography by Kerry Grant, Kenji Nagai, Jack Inwood.

KAUPAPA TAKA. Te Oati a to Kaiwhakairo, Artists' statement -- 'Kahui Whetu' : He Komuri Aroha ki to Aro e, A gentle breeze to a little someone I love -- Tiahoaho, Mutunga Kore, Enduring, eternal light -- Te Tuwheratanga, Sacred incantation -- Te Takinga, The challenge -- Te Whakaeke, The affirmation -- Kupu Aki, Foreword -- He Pepeha -- Rol Toia, Origin of essence -- Roi Toia -- He Wa Puaki, he Wa Momoa, A time of revelation, a time of transition -- Whakatauaki, Family proverb -- He Pepeha -- Todd Couper, Origin of essence -- Todd Couper -- Tihe Mana Nuii ki te Kawa Nui e, Nature's lessons of lore and respect -- Kupu Whakataki, Introduction -- Nga Whetu o te Po, The historical connections of stars in the night -- He Whakanui : Te Arawa Waka, Whare, Te Arawa Iwi, Acknowledgement to the tribal area Te Arawa -- Te Mauri Pounamu o Tinirau, The legacy of Tinirau -- He Tirohanga o te Kaiwhakairo, A carver's perspective -- Te Kore, Po, Whei Ao, Whai Ao, Ao Turoa, The potential, darkness, chaos, form, physical worlds -- THE CARVINGS. He Waka Aria, he Kawa Atuatanga. Divine principle, ideology -- Koruru me Tana Auahatanga, The evolution of the carved mask -- Tikanga Tangata me te Pakiwaitara, Human principle, tribal narratives -- Taemohamoha a te Ira Tangata, Time of the human condition -- He Reo Aitu o nga Atua, Weaponry -- He Whakaaroaro Toi me te Mata Hou, Contemporary and artistic interpretations -- He Wa Punehunehu, A fragment in time -- He Mata Ta, Surface design explanations -- He Tuhi Rakau, Native timber explanations -- He Whakaemi, Other materials -- He Whakanui, Acknowledgements -- He Reo Tauaki, he Reo Tauake, Words of farewell and encouragement -- He takutaku hei puea i te rongomau, Closing words by ancient chant.

"Roi Toia and Todd Couper are exceptional contemporary carvers, based in Rotorua, New Zealand. Their works come out of tribal histories, cosmology and a keen spiritual awareness; these are contemporary carvings that blossom from knowledge of ancient lore, primarily Māori, but open to and encompassing other cultures. The sensitive photography of the pieces in this book serves to highlight the spirituality and beauty of the carvings. Each work is accompanied by an explanation of genesis and form and materials used. This book is a result of 35 years of collective experience actively working within the confines of the carving fraternity. Roi and Todd are continually developing their artistic styles, and are rapidly becoming nationally and internationally renowned, fulfilling commissions in the domestic, USA, Canadian and European and Asians markets."--PBP.

In English and Māori.

Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2007 Finalist.