Whaleslider

Rakai is born and raised in Hawke's Bay and spent entire summers roaming the beaches of his hau kainga, Waimarama. As children Rakai's father taught him and his siblings how to surf and as young teenagers would load the family Ford Falcon station wagon and road trip up the east coast visiting whanau and exploring isolated surf breaks. While visiting these coastal communities Rakai was exposed to the painted Ringatu Marae of the east coast. These images and the love of the ocean and coastline is a big part of what inspires Rakai's work. Rakai can be found working as a multi disciplinary graphic artist at his practice Studio Pacifico, making surfboards or hunting waves.

Rakai Karaitana