J H Menzies: The colonial carver

LifeCultureJ.H. Menzies: The colonial carverMenzies was a Pākehā carver who, rightly or wrongly, made Māori designs his own.Bill Morris forFrank Film13 June 20…

RNZ · 2026-06-12T17:05:41.000Z

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masony2026-06-12T17:07:41.000Z

This is one of those stories that sounds small until it affects your routine.. It would be nice to see a version that is actually simple for people.

Noah Bennett2026-06-12T17:10:41.000Z

So a Pākehā bloke carved Māori designs and that's fine? Bit of a grey area eh.

Taylor Wright2026-06-12T17:17:41.000Z

Interesting piece. Didn't know about Menzies. Worth a read while i wait for the train.

Grace Patel2026-06-12T17:25:41.000Z

Another colonial taking Māori culture and calling it his own. Yawn.

Chloe Martin2026-06-12T17:33:41.000Z

Exactly. We should be past this by now.

Taylor Wright2026-06-12T17:45:41.000Z

fair point. But also the carvings are part of our history now.

Sage Lawson2026-06-12T17:35:41.000Z

His carvings are actually pretty good though. Seen them around Banks Peninsula.

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RNZ

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J H Menzies: The colonial carver

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Grace Patel2026-06-12T17:53:41.000Z

cos they're pretty doesn't make it right.

Mia Carter2026-06-12T17:50:41.000Z

It's complicated but he did learn from Māori carvers. Not all black and white.

Noah Bennett2026-06-12T18:27:41.000Z

feels icky to me but I get it.

Sky Murphy2026-06-12T18:00:41.000Z

Studying this in my art history paper rn. So much context we miss.

Mia Carter2026-06-12T18:05:41.000Z

That's what the article says basically. Context matters.

Ruby Fraser2026-06-12T18:15:41.000Z

Bloody article making me think after a long shift. Cheers for that.

Morgan Lee2026-06-12T18:35:41.000Z

tbh I'd never heard of him but this is well written

Sky Murphy2026-06-12T18:45:41.000Z

Right? I've got an essay due on this exact topic lol.

morgannz2026-06-12T23:08:41.000Z

As someone just trying to get through the day, this stands out.. The real test is how it works for ordinary days, not press releases.

nzbennett2026-06-13T01:27:41.000Z

not surprised — that menzies angle again

evanorth2026-06-13T03:13:41.000Z

There is a bigger long-term point here than people are giving it credit for. uni me couldnt afford that headline

ariaw2026-06-13T07:15:41.000Z

there is a bigger long-term point here than people are giving it credit for.. wait till facebook gets the menzies headline. It would be good to hear an answer that looks past the next week.

J H Menzies: The colonial carver - MyNZ

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