Mäori Arts Celebrated In Te Papa Marae Festival

22 February 2002 2 PAGES

MEDIA RELEASE

Mäori Arts Celebrated In Te Papa Marae Festival Programme

Mäori weaving, carving, sculpture and holistic healing will be showcased on the marae at Te Papa from Saturday 23 February until Sunday 17 March in the Friends of Te Papa Marae Event Programme.

The programme, timed to coincide with the 2002 New Zealand Festival, will look at a different art form or cultural activity each week.

Week one, which runs from Saturday 23 February until Sunday 3 March, focuses on weaving. Senior weavers will be demonstrating various techniques including preparation of flax, weaving of whäriki (fine mats), tukutuku panels, kete (baskets), hieke (rain capes) and the making of a magnificent kiwi-feather cloak. The weavers are from Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt and also Tühoe people living there. Waiwhetu and Tühoe share strong links through intermarriage, and the week accents the revival of whäriki weaving initiated by Tühoe weavers at Waiwhetu in the late 1950s.

Throughout week one Mäori carvers can also been seen at work.

During week two, Monday 4 until Sunday 10 March, visitors will have the chance to watch contemporary Mäori sculptors at work. Using wire as a medium, a group of sculptors will explore concepts relating to Atua Maori (gods) and their relationship to elemental forces, the environment, and living creatures.

MÄORI ARTS CELEBRATED IN TE PAPA MARAE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME – CONT

The final week, which runs from Monday 11 March until Sunday 17 March, looks at Rongoä Mäori (holistic healing) with Teawhina Riwaka and her associates from Te Whänau Kotahi Ora Health Centre in Porirua. Healers will talk about the medical uses of indigenous plants, and demonstrate various mirimiri (massage) techniques.

The programme runs from 10am until 4pm daily, with floortalks at 12noon and 2pm. Kapa Haka and Mäori musical performances will take place on the marae from 12.30pm until 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Marae Event Programme was made possible by the support of the Friends of Te Papa.

ENDS

Contact

Vicki Connor
Senior Media & Communications Co-ordinator
04 381 7083
029 601 0180

Paul Brewer
General Manager, Communications & Marketing
04 381 7023
021 532 920

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