Renowned New Zealand artist Stephen Myhre will launch his latest book Wood Carving: Tools, Techniques & Concepts on Saturday 16 August 2025 at Pātaka Art & Museum in Porirua.
The event, set for 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. in the Helen Smith Room, will showcase Myhre’s decades of experience in traditional and contemporary carving. Known for his mastery in wood, jade, and bone, Myhre offers readers a comprehensive guide to wood carving, from selecting materials to applying finishing touches.
“The kaupapa of this new book is to meet the need for a coherent description of how to prepare, maintain and use a set of wood-carving tools to produce competent, good-quality work,” Myhre writes.
With vibrant colour photographs, the book explores European, Māori, and South Pacific carving styles. It features step-by-step instructions and includes examples such as a waka huia (treasure box). The guide follows the success of Myhre’s first book Bone Carving, which has sold over 50,000 copies since its release 35 years ago.
Now based in Paraparaumu Beach after years abroad, Myhre continues to draw from a diverse array of Pacific, European, and Asian influences.
Guests are welcome to attend the launch, and those interested in obtaining a copy of the book can contact the organisers.