1944 - Born in August in Whakatane, New Zealand (North Island)

Educated in Waiatahi, Kariotahi, Buckland, Papamoa & Riverhead,as his father Stuart was a primary school Head Teacher and loved teaching in country areas.

1956 - Steve commenced carving under the watch full eye of Stuart.

Stuart Pyne commenced carving around 1942 when he was a member of the volunteer Territorial Army. One of the members had a Maori carved swagger cane & Stuart admired it. He was very clever with his hands and went about making one for himself and for any of the other members who requested it.

As his career then took him to various country areas including the East Coast of the North Island, his love of carving grew and as he had a keen mind he researched and studied the art further.

During his many years of carving and before his death at age 79, he carved a Teko Teko, (Maori Figure) that was presented to Walt Disney, plus a walking stick that was presented to Sir Bernard Ferguson, on his return to England after his term as Governor General of New Zealand.

Steve, his eldest son was Stuart’s understudy from an early age and commenced carving for sale at the age of 12.

He originally sold his work through the Eric Scholes’ Gallery in Whakarewarewa, Rotorua and then latterly through the Returned Serviceman’s Gallery in Auckland City.

Over the years Steve had been commissioned by the Eric Scholes’ Gallery to carve some very special pieces to be presented to the sons of predominant families on their 21st birthdays. Steve now has a large library of old historical carving books to draw on for traditional styles and designs of different tribes.