Whangarei Girls’ High School Whangarei Girls’ High School

Level 3 Whakairo (Carving)

3WHA
Course Description

In Level 3 Whakairo, students will develop theoretical and practical knowledge about Māori design and art elements as well as developing skills in Māori design practices.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of whakairo production for meaning, intention and function. 

The Level 3 Whakairo interweaves daily cultural practices such as taumata (Karakia/ngā kupu a ngā Tūpuna/mihimihi/Waiata) and fosters the values of whanaungatanga - others, whakaiti - humility and manaakitanga - respect.

‘Kia whakatōmuri te haere ki mua’ ‘to walk into the future our eyes must be fixed on the past.’

Learning Opportunities

In this course you will need to:

Develop these skills:Explore this content:
  • Learn appropriate karakia and tikanga in relation to Māori visual art.
  • Elements of Māori Art and design from a mātauranga māori perspective (traditions).
  • Practical skills to be able to create works of art.
  • Develop an awareness of how their work reflects and transmits Māori ideas.
  • Explore sketching, painting and  whakairo. 
  • How contemporary design expresses Māori ideas about the world.
  • Develop ideas to create whakairo for uku and rākau.

  • Exhibit work.

  • Designing and constructing taonga pūoro 


Year Levels/Departments:

Māori, Seniors



Resources Required

A4 Visual diary

Pencils (HB,2B,6B) erasers

Fine pilot pens (black)