18 February 2002 Media Statement

Appointments to Te Waka Toi

Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Judith Tizard, has announced four new appointments to Te Waka Toi, the Mâori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand.

Sandy Adsett, Suzanne Ellison, Moana Tipa, and Dr Patu Hohepa have been appointed to the board of Te Waka Toi, each for a term ending 31 October 2004.

Current Chair, Elizabeth Ellis, has been re -appointed for a further 16 months from the expiry of her previous term and ending 31 October 2003.

“I am delighted that these people have all agreed to serve on the board of Te Waka Toi. They bring an extremely impressive range of skills and experience to their positions and I am confident that Te Waka Toi will be well served by its new, and re-appointed members,” said Judith Tizard.

Judith Tizard paid tribute to retiring members Moana Maniapoto, Gabrielle Huria and Shane Cotton.

“I would like to thank Moana, Gabrielle and Shane for all the work they have put into Te Waka Toi and into New Zealand arts and culture. Their commitment and their contribution are greatly appreciated,” she said.

In addition to Elizabeth Ellis, existing board members include East Cape artist and broadcaster Keri Kaa, and well-known Mâori performer and dance teacher Mika.

Te Waka Toi, the Mâori Arts Board of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa (Creative New Zealand), allocates project grants, develops initiatives and supports and promotes Mâori Arts.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON APPOINTEES

Sandy Adsett - Hawke’s Bay (Ngati Kahungunu) is a painter, costume and stage designer, artist and influential Mâori arts educator. He established and is Principal Tutor of the new School of Contemporary Mâori Arts, Toimairangi, Hastings. He is the Chair of Te Atinga, the Committee of Contemporary Mâori Visual Arts within Toi Mâori Aotearoa and former head of Toihoukura, School of Mâori Visual Arts in Gisborne. Mr Adsett has been an extremely influential force in Mâori art and Mâori art education. He has exhibited both nationally and overseas, most notably in Europe, the United States, Australia and Africa. New Zealand contributions include stage designs for the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the restoration and carvings in Te Huki Meeting House on his home marae.

Suzanne Ellison - Otago (Kai Tahu) is a current member of the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation and is the Southern Locality Manager overseeing the development of Ngai Tahu initiatives. She is also a practising musician. A former member of The Christchurch Arts Festival Trust Board, Ms Ellison is also a past member of the Otago Mâori Council, the Otago University Mâori Affairs Board and the Otago Te Mâori Exhibition Organising Committee.

Moana Tipa - Christchurch (Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Ngati Kahungunu) directs her own Maori arts and health consultancy, which is currently trialing arts programmes as a catalyst of change for at risk women. She was previously the cultural and arts advisor for the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation. Ms Tipa studied journalism at Auckland Institute of Technology and has contributed to Mâori health advocacy, broadcasting, print media and arts development. She has curated, managed and produced many multi-disciplined arts exhibitions, events and resources including ‘Aukaha kia Kaha’ (Strengthen the Bindings) - a three day Kai Tahu Arts Festival in Dunedin, 2000, Kai Tahu performing arts theatre and a number of visual arts exhibitions within the Otago and Christchurch Arts Festivals. She managed “Pounamu Kai Tahu” travel to Venice for the 2000 Venice Biennale and is a member of the Christchurch Arts Festival Trust Board.

Dr Patu Wâhanga Hohepa - Hokianga (Ngäpuhi) is in his fourth year as the Mâori Language Commissioner. Dr Hohepa was previously Professor of Maori Language at the University of Auckland before becoming Commissioner, and has an extensive background in Mâori film, radio and television. He is a Ngâpuhi orator, genealogist, waiata singer, spokesperson, teacher and writer who has made a significant contribution to Mâori language in New Zealand. Dr Hohepa has recently been involved with setting up the Mâori Television Trust with Awhiorangi Trust and has been involved with interviews and editing for Ngâ Morehu, elders who were carriers of the Maori language and culture, a Tawera Production shown in March 2002.

Elizabeth Ellis – Auckland is a visual artist with a high profile in Mâori arts education. She has played an effective role as Chair over the last five years working successfully with iwi and artists. She continues to have a great deal to contribute to Te Waka Toi and Creative New Zealand.