Of Cook Islands and Aotearoa Māori descent, Bernie carried her practice with humility. She was shaped through mentorship with Mike and Awhitia Tavioni, developing her skills in wood and stone carving with patience and care. She worked alongside Oliver Oolders, another Cook Islands carver and artist learning around the same time as her. Bernies work also extended into pareu printing, where she explored pattern and storytelling through hand crafted processes, sitting between contemporary expression and customary practice.

As part of the Te Toki Tupuna collective, she worked in quiet dedication alongside other artists, contributing to a shared space of making and learning. She also gave her time to teaching, sharing carving and pareu printing with young people and visitors in a way that was steady, generous, kind and unassuming.

In 2023, she completed a diploma in traditional vaka making, continuing her commitment to understanding not just how things are made, but why they matter.

Bernie wasn’t someone who sought attention, but her presence was always felt. She showed up for the work, for the people and for the practice. She is remembered with deep respect – in the work she created, the knowledge she shared and the quiet strength she carried.

I roto i te mārie, ka rongo mātou i tō’ou aroaro.
I roto i te inati, ka manako mātou i tō’ou mā’ana.
Ka akangateitei mātou ia koe i roto i tā mātou anga’anga - kia kapiti, kia meitaki, e kia akamaroiroi tātou i te tangata.

In the stillness, we feel your presence.
In sharing, we remember your warmth.
We honour you through our work - together, united and uplifting one another.