MEET AWHITIA TAVIONI
aka. Mama Awhitia

​

​

Awhitia Tavioni is Mikes wife and a renowned master carver in her own right.

​

Awhitia’s talent was nurtured and grown through Mike's guidance and encouragement.

Awhitia and Mike’s door has always been open.

​

She has her own signature style and is a proud custodian of Cook Islands heritage and reo (language).

​

Awhitia creates functional artworks that promote the mana and beauty of the Cook Islands .

 

Before the gallery existed, visitors would come to Mike and Awhitia home to learn carving. 

The formation of a purpose-built space where this could be done with more room and

functionality was simply an extension of a practice they have

always catered for out of their own home.