“Ko Tapuika te whenua, ko Tapuika te tangata, ko Tapuika te iwi.”
With these words, artist and carver Jo’el Komene grounds us in the heart of Te Takapū o Tapuika – the belly of Tapuika, honouring the land, the people, and the whakapapa that shape identity and purpose.
Jo’el Komene, a multi-talented individual, is a renowned carver, musician, and educator with whakapapa to the tribes of Ngā Puhi, Tapuika, and Tainui. With his exceptional skills and deep cultural knowledge, Jo’el has gained recognition not only within his community but also on an international level. His expertise lies in the art of taonga pūoro, traditional Māori musical instruments, which he carves and plays with great mastery.
For Jo’el Komene, his taonga puoro are a connection to the soul. A musician and carver with whakapapa to Nga Puhi, Tainui and Tapuika, he tells of his toi Māori journey; beginning with learning whakairo which fuelled a passion for Taonga Puoro, then furthering his practice with a masters in the kōauau. Now working in education and sharing his mātauranga, Jo’el is a key player in the revitalisation of te ao toi Māori.
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