Born in Wairoa 1974 Todd is of Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu descent. His passion for art was ignited from a very early age having been influenced by his Dads drawings, his Nans paintings and the carvings and kowhaiwhai patterns that adorned some of the Wharenui in Wairoa.

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In 1987 Todd attended Te Aute College in Central Hawkes Bay where he began focusing on his art and so in 1992 after completing Bursary level art he then furthered his studies at Waiariki Polytechnic in Rotorua. This is where he was introduced to whakairo (wood carving) and quickly found that this was something he had to pursue”. 

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 It was in Todd’s final year of study where he met Roi Toia who was then the carving tutor. After graduating in 1995 Roi invited Todd to work alongside him in his workshop. Initially under Roi’s guidance Todd would later develop his own style of carving. Over the 17 years of working together they became known for their particular style of contemporary whakairo,  emphasising precision of form line and finish 

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 In 2012 Todd and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia where he spent twelve months as ‘Artist in Residence’ at Southbank Institute of Technology.  He had the privilege of mentoring some of the top graduating students, passing on his knowledge and experience of living as an artist. For Todd this was just as important as it was satisfying to be able to support and encourage young emerging artists.

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Todd has now been a full time artist for 27 years mastering in the art of wood carving with over 400 works being held in private collections throughout the world.

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“My work in its form and meaning honours the ancient art of Whakairo (traditional Maori carving) with honesty, integrity and precision, capturing the essence of traditional values and beliefs that are bound with personal experiences and influences thus creating a more contemporary aesthetic.”

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“If I had any words of advice for our artistic rangatahi (younger generation)   it would be to draw and sketch more.  Drawing is often the first important step in translating a concept or idea by bringing it into a physical dimension.  It’s like the basic underlying language of art that transcends all nationalities and cultures.  Therefore the more you practice and better you become the more your art will visually speak.”

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📸 Anne Shirley