Clive Fugill

Ngai Te Rangi, Tainui

Clive Fugill was one of seven students in the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institutes’ very first three-year carving course, which began in 1967.

Today the Institute is known as Te Puia and Fugill has been the Master Carver for 21 years.

Fugill developed his carving skills under the watchful eye of the Institute’s Master Carver at the time, Hone Taiapa.

During his career Fugill has worked on numerous meeting houses and supervised on at least six. He has travelled the world demonstrating the art of whakairo (carving), including Japan, New Guinea, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, United States of America, Thailand, and throughout New Zealand.

He has completed pieces for royalty and heads of state, international and national dignitaries, and for many Maori kaumatua (elders) and his works are in many embassies throughout the world. He was also an original member of the Te Waka Toi Carvers Steering Committee.