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JOE WARU - Wood Turner

I was born in Kaitaia, Northland, New Zealand in May 1981. I attended Herekino primary school, then Kaitaia College where I left when I was 16.

After leaving school I then spent two years as a gill net and long-line fisherman before acquiring skills such as heavy machine operating, forestry work and solid wood processing.

In 2002, I got the opportunity to work at 'The Ancient Kauri Kingdom' where I was taught the craft of woodturning by Artist and Master Wood Turner Alby Hall.

New Zealand National Exhibitions

Here I have learnt to make bowls and platters, ranging from salad and fruit bowls to natural edged bowls. I have also had the opportunity to do artistic woodturning, inlay patterns and designs using wood, shells, paint and epoxy resins, some of which have been accepted into the 'National Wood Skills Exhibition' two years in a row.

I am now learning the processes of turning and carving hollow form bowls using designs developed by inspiration from my Maori Heritage.

Using my Maori heritage in my designs

In the long term I wish to continue developing and using designs and ideas from my Maori culture in collaboration with the woodturning craft as a means to create art.

Woodturning is a new medium in which Maoridom can express their culture as art, and I am excited to be a part of it, and the prospects it has for the future.