Ngāti Rangi, Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru, Taranaki

Te Rautini’s artistic journey began with a deep-seated creativity from an early age, which led him to pursue art full-time in 2008. After studying at The Learning Connexion and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, he focused on sculpture, clay hand-building, and printmaking, while also exploring glass
casting inspired by a dream to create translucent sculptures with natural light.

Collaborating with other artists, Te Rautini
created unique works like glass taonga pūoro (traditional Māori wind instruments) and glass castings on ceramic masks. Many of his sculptures incorporate found or upcycled materials, reflecting his commitment to addressing environmental issues and the global waste crisis.

Through his art, he preserves cultural history, raises awareness of sustainability, and explores the connection between past, present, and future.