Ko Maungawhārau ki uta
Ko Waingongoro tāheke ki tai
Nō Waimārama ahau
Ko Piripi tōku ingoa
Tiakina ngā manu, ka ora te ngāhere
Tiakina te ngāhere, ka ora te toi whakairo
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata
Tōku maunga, tōku hī, tōku hā!
To ensure all living things in our ecosystems
remain in balance with each other,
in our every breath,
is something that is vital for our future.
Phil Belcher
BSc (Geology), PGradDip Teaching (Secondary), PGradDip Museum Studies
During secondary education, Phil was taught by Gavin Bishop (visual arts), Peter Robinson (sculpture), Riki Manuel and Malcolm Hooper (whakairo).
An apprentice of Tohunga Dante Bonica, stone azde specialist. Phil continues research, teaching, wānanga, and undertake commissions for various organisations and individuals.
Research and Wānanga:
Hei Tiki Manufacture & working pounamu, research papers and practical, University of Auckland (1997), tutor Dante Bonica
Tatagamatau Basalt Quarry, Samoa, Toki Manufacture and Workshops (2000 & 2006), with the blessing of Suafo’a Velio and Avegalio Pesamino, Leone Village, Tutuila
To’i Ma’a Samoa, Measina III Conference, National University of Samoa, demonstration, research paper and co-presentation with Eve Suafo’a (2006);
Toki manufacture and Use, Aohanga, Hawkes Bay, workshops, wānanga and research papers (2003), with the blessing of Hepa Tātere, Kaumatua, Te Hika-o-Papauma
Wānanga and workshops, Argillite Toki manufacture, Ngāti Kuia, (2014- )
Work Experience:
Present – Kaiwhakairo Carver, Education advisor, tutoring, workshops & wānanga
2006 – 2013 Secondary Teacher, Visual Arts, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Hou, Onekawa, Napier
2003 – 2005 Tutor Traditional Maori Tool Technology, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Hawkes Bay, Maori Studies Department
2001 – 2005 Collections Assistant, Hawkes Bay Museum, Napier
1999 – 2001 Environmental Project Manager, O Le Siosiomanga Society Inc., Apia, Samoa
1997 – 2001 Geological Field Technician, Tinai Gordon & Associates, Civil and Structural Engineers, Apia, Samoa
Exhibitions:
2013 E Kata te Rākau, Hastings City Art Gallery
2006 Matariki: Toi o nga whetū hou, MIA Gallery, Napier
2005 Te Hei Tiki, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland
2005 Tautoko, Hawke’s Bay Museum, Napier
2002 Hawaki, Hawke’s Bay Community Arts Centre, Hastings
Community works:
Koruru (2013), for Havelock North Central Kindergarten
Tekoteko ‘Tamatea Arikinui’ (2009), For Heretaunga wharenui, Ngāti Hori,Waipatu Marae, Hastings
Pou-o-Tiakitai (2004) memorial pou, Ngāti Kurukuru, Waimārama, Hawkes Bay (2004)
Mātauranga, ancient Māori knowledge and philosophy, is relevant and valuable to our society and community, to empower our next generations.
Ko Waingongoro tāheke ki tai
Nō Waimārama ahau
Ko Piripi tōku ingoa
Tiakina ngā manu, ka ora te ngāhere
Tiakina te ngāhere, ka ora te toi whakairo
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata
Tōku maunga, tōku hī, tōku hā!
To ensure all living things in our ecosystems
remain in balance with each other,
in our every breath,
is something that is vital for our future.
Phil Belcher
BSc (Geology), PGradDip Teaching (Secondary), PGradDip Museum Studies
During secondary education, Phil was taught by Gavin Bishop (visual arts), Peter Robinson (sculpture), Riki Manuel and Malcolm Hooper (whakairo).
An apprentice of Tohunga Dante Bonica, stone azde specialist. Phil continues research, teaching, wānanga, and undertake commissions for various organisations and individuals.
Research and Wānanga:
Hei Tiki Manufacture & working pounamu, research papers and practical, University of Auckland (1997), tutor Dante Bonica
Tatagamatau Basalt Quarry, Samoa, Toki Manufacture and Workshops (2000 & 2006), with the blessing of Suafo’a Velio and Avegalio Pesamino, Leone Village, Tutuila
To’i Ma’a Samoa, Measina III Conference, National University of Samoa, demonstration, research paper and co-presentation with Eve Suafo’a (2006);
Toki manufacture and Use, Aohanga, Hawkes Bay, workshops, wānanga and research papers (2003), with the blessing of Hepa Tātere, Kaumatua, Te Hika-o-Papauma
Wānanga and workshops, Argillite Toki manufacture, Ngāti Kuia, (2014- )
Work Experience:
Present – Kaiwhakairo Carver, Education advisor, tutoring, workshops & wānanga
2006 – 2013 Secondary Teacher, Visual Arts, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Hou, Onekawa, Napier
2003 – 2005 Tutor Traditional Maori Tool Technology, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Hawkes Bay, Maori Studies Department
2001 – 2005 Collections Assistant, Hawkes Bay Museum, Napier
1999 – 2001 Environmental Project Manager, O Le Siosiomanga Society Inc., Apia, Samoa
1997 – 2001 Geological Field Technician, Tinai Gordon & Associates, Civil and Structural Engineers, Apia, Samoa
Exhibitions:
2013 E Kata te Rākau, Hastings City Art Gallery
2006 Matariki: Toi o nga whetū hou, MIA Gallery, Napier
2005 Te Hei Tiki, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland
2005 Tautoko, Hawke’s Bay Museum, Napier
2002 Hawaki, Hawke’s Bay Community Arts Centre, Hastings
Community works:
Koruru (2013), for Havelock North Central Kindergarten
Tekoteko ‘Tamatea Arikinui’ (2009), For Heretaunga wharenui, Ngāti Hori,Waipatu Marae, Hastings
Pou-o-Tiakitai (2004) memorial pou, Ngāti Kurukuru, Waimārama, Hawkes Bay (2004)
Mātauranga, ancient Māori knowledge and philosophy, is relevant and valuable to our society and community, to empower our next generations.