Mäori Carver Residency to Hawaii

Media release
Mäori Issues Reporters/Arts Reporters
Date: 11 April 2005

Cultural Links Across the Pacific
Mäori Carver Residency to Hawaii

Te Waka Toi, the Mäori arts board of Creative New Zealand, is calling for applications from Mäori carvers to take up a pilot residency programme in Hawaii for three months from September.

The Oahu Residency would be based at the Kamakalüokani Centre for Hawaiian Studies at the University for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii.

Te Waka Toi chair Elizabeth Ellis said the residency aimed to strengthen the cultural links between indigenous Hawaiian and Mäori as well as providing a professional development opportunity for Mäori carvers.

“When we meet indigenous Hawaiian we find there are many things we have in common. It is particularly noticaeable in our arts and culture. Initiatives like our proposed Oahu Residency will help strengthen those links to the benefit of arts development in both countries,” Ms Ellis said.

“During their time in Hawaii, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to undertake a practical project as well as learn from Hawaiian artists about their history, culture and arts.

“The carver will also have access to the collection at the Bishop Museum which holds around 25 million items pertaining to Pacific culture and heritage including more than 2.4 million cultural artefacts.”

Carvers wishing to apply for the residency must have knowledge and experience of traditional and contemporary Mäori carving and be prepared to act as a cultural ambassador for Mäori. Applications can be obtained from Margarett@creativenz.govt.nz or 04 4980714. Applications close on 6 May.

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