James York and Poutama Hetaraka are tasked with creating a traditional Māori entranceway for Scott Base, the New Zealand Research Station in Antarctica.

As we learn about their experiences in Antarctica we discuss the meanings in their traditional and ancient carving techniques.

In a gentle and lyrical way, we look at how an indigenous world view can collaborate with western science and why it is so relevant today, especially relating to the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area.

Producer/Director Vanessa Wells travelled to Antarctica with James and Poutama in 2019.

Te Whakairo was officially selected to screen at Show Me Shorts throughout NZ and has screened at several international festivals.

The documentary is part of the Days of Ice Festival and is being shown in the Ngā Pounamu Māori collection on Tuakiri / Identity, Level 2.

This is a part of Days of Ice.