Piri Poutapu, Date of Birth, Date of Death

Piri Poutapu

Ngati Koroki; carpenter, carver

Date of Birth: 08-Jun-1905

Date of Death: 20-Aug-1975

Profession: carpenter, wood carver

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Wiremu "Piri" Te Ranga Poutapu (8 June 1905 – 20 August 1975) was a New Zealand Maori master carver and carpenter.
He identified with the Ngati Koroki and Waikato iwi.
He was born in Maungatautari, Waikato, New Zealand in 1905.
He was known as Piri, the Maori transliteration of Bill, short for William, of which his first name Wiremu is the Maori transliteration.
Poutapu was a protégé of Te Puea Herangi who sent him to the School of Maori Arts at Ohinemutu in 1929.
He spent three years there learning adzeing, carving and traditional lore from Eramiha Neke Kapua.
During this time he also worked with brothers Pine and Hone Taiapa, leading Ngati Porou carvers.
In 1932 he returned to Ngaruawahia where he established a carving school.
One of his pupils was Inia Te Wiata.
Poutapu was one of the leaders in the building of Turongo, the Maori king's official residence at Turangawaewae Marae, between 1934 and 1938.
He was a confidant and secretary to Maori king Koroki and was then a member of the Tekau-ma-rua (council of twelve) for Maori queen Te Atairangikaahu.Poutapu was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Maori arts and crafts in the 1974 Queen's Birthday Honours.
He died at Turangawaewae Marae on 20 August 1975 and was buried on Mount Taupiri.