Sacred knowledge and techniques of whakairo raakau (wood carving) were passed from master carver to selected individuals throughout Maori history.
The student would also undertake extensive Whakapapa (genealogy) and Puu Raakau (mythology and history) studies and so frequently became repositories of cultural knowledge, a revered position in Maori society.

Under the direction of the master carver, the student would learn a carving style distinctive to their carving group or family. Established artistic styles passed through generations and developed into distinctive regional formats.
These have evolved into the forms and surface designs of today`s traditional styles.

New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute

The hallmarks of traditional Maori wood carving today is carried through the continuation of the master to student custom at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in the Whakarewarewa thermal reserve in Rotorua (New Zealand).

Students of specific criteria that pass a selection process are admitted to an unparalleled opportunity to attain
knowledge and techniques that have been
handed down through generations of carvers.
Students undertake an intensive three year
carving programme dedicated to “preserve,
promote and perpetuate” traditional Maori
wood carving and graduate with a
Pokairua Whakairo (diploma).
Based on the works of the
“old masters”, customary styles
and techniques are taught through
the use of the adze (toki) and chisel (whao). This
prestigious school of learning first formally opened in
1967 and celebrates the graduation of it`s
100th student in 2006 after 39 years of constant operation.