Husband and wife foster culture

Tu Tangata, Issue 16, 1 March 1984, Page 48

Husband and wife foster culture

By Hiria Rakete

FACES OF ROTORUA

\~~T~ took a Fijian holiday to persuade Ruihana Phillips that he should turn his hand to carving.

Eight years ago, he and his wife, Merematekino, were impressed by the skill of a Fijian who was carving knife handles.

That set him thinking that carving might be more satisfying than being a salesman.

But first, he had to learn how to do it. He gradually picked it up, teaching himself by watching other people.

He started off by carving replica taiaha and selling them at a nearby market. The response from the public was so good that Lou decided to branch out into carving other weapons.

Next, he started displaying his carvings outside his house. This attracted many people, from car loads to tour buses and also prompted a few complaints from the neighbours.

So he decided to set up a small shop and called on his brothers to help him keep up with the heavy workload.

Now, the business is booming. They have moved into bigger premises and have a workshop as well.

Mere says the family is responsible for the firm’s success.

“The kids are great,” she says. “They help around the shop doing some of the paperwork and at the counter. Our brothers and their families, as well as other relations, also help us by making the kits, headbands and any other handcrafts that we just don’t have time to do.”

They sell other New Zealand souvenirs, like keyrings, clothes, and greenstone pendants. But their bestsellers are the wood products.

“These outdo all other items,” says mere.

“Tekoteko carvings and war weapons especially taiaha, are heavy in demand."

Both Lou and Mere agree that a brief explanation of their work, to every bus tour, helps promote Maori culture and sells their goods as well.

“It is important that people understand the significance of our work,” says Lou after explaining the carvings and their uses to the fifteenth bus tour that day.

However, life has not been all ‘sugar and spice’ for the Phillips family.

“At first we were very unpopular especially in the business world," recalls Mere.

“There’s no special reason, it’s just the way business works.” However, the people of Rotorua have been a tremendous help to them. “I think it could be because we go out of our way to help them. Lou never turns down an order, and

he does extras for the customers at no extra cost.” “Rotorua is the mainstay for Maori carvings,”, says Lou, and as long as that lives, then Ruihana Carvings will thrive.