Maori Rock Carving

The Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupo have been hailed as one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary artworks. Towering 14-metres above the deep water of Lake Taupo, the carvings have become one of the North Island of New Zealand's biggest tourist attractions.

The carvings were sculpted over the course of four years and completed in 1980. Marae-taught carver Matahi Brightwell led a team of four artists to create a spectacular carving of his ancestor Ngatoroirangi on the rock face.

This extraordinary artwork is made up of several individual carvings that each has its own story and meaning.