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Ancient Kauri Kingdom woodturner artists and crafts people produce our world famous Ancient Kauri products.

A trained eye is required to recover the best grain and texture. Ancient Kauri Kingdom craftsmen are experts at selecting the most appropriate piece best suited to the beautiful products we make.

ALBY HALL

Alby Hall, artist and master wood turner, started woodworking in 1986, making tables at first. In 1990 woodturning became his main creative outlet. He took to it with a passion, developing many new processes and tools to be able to achieve the ideas and designs that came from his creative process.

"I have been with Ancient Kauri Kingdom since the start. I have enjoyed the freedom to experiment and develop unique ideas, skills and designs using the challenging Ancient Kauri wood. What a fantastic creative relationship — a dream come true for me."

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JOE WARU

Born in Kaitaia, Northland, New Zealand in May 1981, Joe Waru got the opportunity to work at 'The Ancient Kauri Kingdom' where he was taught the craft of woodturning.

"Woodturning is a new medium in which Maoridom can express their culture as art. I am excited to be part of it and value the prospect of working at Ancient Kauri Kingdom brings for the future."

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SHANE BUCHANAN

Since 2001 Shane Buchanan has been working at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom in the freeform department. His work there involves supervision of staff, manufacture of furniture, chainsaw carving beautiful wooden couches from the root balls of the Ancient Kauri tree and gathering raw materials for his department from the peat swamps of the Far North.

"After pursing a variety of woodworking skills and crafts in the past as a 'one man band,' I jumped at the opportunity to join the talented team at Ancient Kauri Kindgom. This new direction in my career, using the unique Ancient Kauri, has enabled by involvement with major woodworking projects of a size and scale I had never thought possible."

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JOHN TATNELL

Ancient Kauri furniture and cabinet maker, John Tatnell, is supervisor of the workshop where he passes his knowledge onto his team.

"At Ancient Kauri Kindgom I will only accept the highest quality in workmanship to ensure an outstanding finished product. I enjoy working with an awesome team, who take great pride and care to ensure the finished product will be a feature for the customer."

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