Another day at the workshop

It was a full on day at the Atupa workshop of the master - Mike Tavioni that is.
Tavioni’s workshop is an extension to the front of his house and a great distraction to passing motorists especially tourists who risk head on collisions when they turn their heads to take in all the activity at the workshop.
When the Herald dropped in on Monday morning, Tavioni had several projects going at once. Work was in progress on a canoe originally from Manihiki but now destined for the new Airport terminal. Several young men were operating electric sanders. Sponsored by Rotary, the canoe is undergoing changes. Its hull will be soaked in water to make the wood pliable. For this, Tavioni has some young local helpers digging a trench in his taro patch behind his house. Several others are beating wet coconut husks with clubs to prepare the husks for the making of sinet for lashings on the canoe.
While all this is going on under the master’s directions and supervision, someone is helping put the final touches to Tavioni’s book on Cook Islands motifs.
On his work bench Tavioni has started on a wooden plaque which commemorates former New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, now deceased, Tia Barrett and which will hang in the office of the NZ High Commission.
Then Tavioni strides outdoors, picks up a small chainsaw and continues the work which he began some time ago on a seven foot tall carving depicting an angel and two others. It is a commissioned piece destined for overseas. Saw dust and wooden chips are flying everywhere and the noise is deafening. The master is not wearing ear muffs, hell, he’s not even wearing a shirt.
Amid the din, rugby league legend Kevin Iro shows up with Lloyd Matapo and as tourists drive slowly by gawking at all the activity, Mike’s wife Awhitia decides it’s time to leave the house.