Wood Carving

Early Maori Wood Carving shows stylistic affinities with works from eastern Polynesia, where the ancestors of the Maori originated from. Examples of ancient Maori wood carvings are rare, however a number of them have survived due to the practice of hiding valuable carvings by immersing them in swamps during times of unrest. The waterlogged environment has subsequently managed to preserve the wood of the carvings.