Whakairo (carving) can be found on Whare, Waka, weapons, tools, and personal adornments and items such as hei tiki (carved pendant), heru (hair comb), and whakakai taringa (earrings).

Traditionally Māori carvings feature intricate patterns inspired by nature, using materials such as wood, bone, and stone. Pounamu (greenstone/jade) and Matā (obsidian) were prized stones used for cutting, carving, and also to create precious objects known as Taonga.

Kaiwhakairo (carvers) used a variety of tools to shape their art pieces. Usually a long handled adze was used for cutting out basic shapes from raw material. Then smaller short handled chisels would add in the finer details and finishing work. Most tools were made from stone or greenstone as they were strong and could keep a sharp cutting edge. Another essential tool in carving is the mallet, usually with a head made from wood or whale bone. This is used to strike the end of a chisel, driving it into the wood or stone being shaped.