Waka preparations under way for the Queens Diamond Jubilee

Toi Maori Media Release

22 March 2012 For Immediate Release

The New Zealand Waka preparations are well under way for the Queens Diamond Jubilee River Pageant in London on 3 June (UK time).

A crew of 14 has been selected and commences training at the end of March. Most of the crew have previous experience in international promotions of New Zealand through the waka having crewed in Netherlands in 2010 and London in 2011. Earlier waka projects for coordinators Toi Maori were to San Francisco in 2005 and Valencia in 2007.

General Manager Toi Maori Garry Nicholas commented, “The waka taua is a symbol of Pacific and particularly Maori design innovation and adaptation brought about by the availability of large trees in this country. The artistry of the carved features on the waka taua celebrates the use of resources this country provided early Maori settlers in greenstone tools. It also symbolises a vessel under good leadership well trained crew and with clear objectives can achieve goals.”

Perhaps with those ideals its not surprising New Zealand is increasingly embracing Maori imagery and symbolism in its international profile. What was once the preserve of arts and cultural festivals may also see resonance in New Zealand business promotions.

Meanwhile in London the immense logistical planning is well in hand. The British are renowned for their organisation of pageantry and this year’s event will bring out the best in British planning.

The Thames is a difficult stretch of water for people powered craft. London based organisation ‘Thames Alive’ is working with the Pageant Foundation to coordinate the flotilla for people powered craft that will lead the pageant.

Director, ‘Thames Alive’ Malcolm Knight advised in his recent newsletter to participants, “Our flotilla is a very small part of a very big picture and we all have to fit together to achieve the goal of 1,000 plus boats saluting HM Queen Elizabeth.”

Toi Maori’s ceremonial waka taua Te Hono ki Aotearoa (The Link to New Zealand) will once again feature on the Thames River as it did last year during the City of London Festival in July 2011. 2 World Cinema Showcase Te Hono ki Aotearoa is an 84 minute documentary on the commissioning, the making, the launch and the emotional handover of the waka to the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, 2010. The film follows the journey of Te Hono ki Aotearoa as it becomes the waka for Europe. We witness the inaugural journey on the river Thames… the journey has just begun.

The annual Showcase, now in its 14th year, is selected by the New Zealand International Film Festival and is presented in collaboration with cinemas in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch. The making of this film has been made possible through support of Museum Volkenkunde, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Creative New Zealand and Toi Maori Aotearoa.

Timetable

01-Apr-12 6:20 PM Rialto 3 Auckland

03-Apr-12 12:00 PM Rialto 3 Auckland

22-Apr-12 5:15 PM Paramount Wellington

29-Apr-12 1:30 PM Regent Dunedin

30-Apr-12 12:15 PM Regent Dunedin

1-May-12 6:00 PM Hollywood Christchurch

2-May-12 1:00 PM Hollywood Christchurch

ENDS

Information

To see images of Te Hono ki Aotearoa ceremonial waka that participated on the Thames River during the City of London Festival in July 2011, click on link below: http://www.maoriart.org.nz/photo_gallery.php?g=205

For more information of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, click on link below: http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/Default.aspx

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