Waikato te Awa, Waikato te Iwi Expo

MEDIA RELEASE

As part of events celebrating 150 years of Kiingitanga, Waikato-Tainui in conjunction with Mighty River Power and the Waikato Museum, are hosting an expo on the banks of Tuurangawaewae Marae this week.

Included is a 150 year timeline depicting 19 key events enhanced by portraits of the Maaori monarchs.

Project coordinator Marae Tukere says around 1,300 rangatahi are expected to move through the interactive exhibitions not only to learn about the King movement, but also to gain an insight into traditional and contemporary music, Poukai, the Waikato River, settlement of the tribe’s raupatu claims, ngaa waka o Waikato-Tainui, Tuurangawaewae Marae and the annual regatta.

“This is an opportunity to engage with youth about Te Kiingitanga, and so far the expo has been well received,” says Ms Tukere. “Students from local communities are learning about some of these things as part of their core curriculum so given the exhibits have been designed with them in mind, the feedback has been great. The Taiohi Interactive Booth is also proving popular with youth able to record their messages, feelings and thoughts about what they are learning.”

The Waikato te Awa, Waikato te Iwi Expo is open to the public on Saturday, 2 May 2009 from 9am – 4pm.

ENDS

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