Ngāti Raukawa , Muaūpoko, Kai Tahu

“He toi whakairo, he mana tangata”

Mātene Te Putu Climie was raised to be a Māori artist.

A descendant of Ngāti Kapumanawawhiti and Ngāti Parewahawaha, Mātene was born in 1984 and attended Kura Kaupapa and Wharekura in Ōtaki.

Introduced to kōwhaiwhai at kura, Mātene was trained in whakairo at wharekura as his primary career path, leading to an employment opportunity at Te Whare Toi, Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

Here, Mātene has had the opportunity to work alongside a community of expert weavers and artists such as Sonia Snowden, Diane Prince and Elaine Bevan, who have inspired his raranga mahi.

Skilled in a multitude of media and techniques, Mātene is currently focussed on raranga, whatu and whakairo and favours natural and sustainable materials such as harakeke, cotton and jute, along with recycled or repurposed items.