“Let the spirit of Te Māori prevail”
-Distinguished Professor Sir Hirini Moko Mead
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trustees would like to thank you for contributing to the hui commemorating 40 years since the opening of Te Māori: Māori Art from New Zealand Collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
This two-day gathering brought together those who supported Te Māori in the United States of America and Te Māori: Te Hokinga Mai in Aotearoa, the whānau of those leaders who played an instrumental role in the success of Te Māori, and those who benefitted from, and owe a debt of gratitude, to the legacy of Te Māori.
Aroha Mead, Moeahu Reedy, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi. Photographer: Rawhitiroa Photography
Through the course of the hui, we learned about the determined strategy of our leaders to ensure that Te Māori produced tremendous benefits for te iwi Māori. We remembered and celebrated the achievements of Te Māori for all New Zealanders, and we embodied the spirit of Te Māori to confront the challenges of our present and seek guidance for the future.
Lily-Belle Pohatu, Mana Puketapu, Taea Staples. Photographer: Rawhitiroa Photography
Since the passing of sitting Chair Piri Sciascia in 2020, we have relied on the support of others to advance the operations of Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust and convene this gathering to mark the 40th anniversary suitably. We are extremely grateful to our Hui Steering Group—comprising those who responded to our social media appeal in September 2023—for assisting us in developing the objectives and programme for the hui, and our panel leaders for taking responsibility for their respective sessions.
Steering Group Contributors: Aroha Mead, Chanel Clarke, Lyonel Grant, Puamiria Goodall-Parata, Bill Hamilton,
Te Hemo Ata Henare, Tata Lawton, Kura Moeahu, Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell, Paul Meredith, Taparoto Nicholson,
Chad Paraone, Kara Puketapu-Dentice, Kereti Rautangata, Paora Tibble, Rangitapu Tunoho
Panel Chairs: Peggy Luke, Charlie Rahiri, Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell, Atawhai Tibble, Kura Moeahu, Derek Fox, Dr Arini Loader and Lily-Belle Pohatu
We would like to gratefully acknowledge Toi Māori Aotearoa for coordinating the development and delivery of this hui, Te Rūnanganui o Te Ātiawa, Waiwhetū marae and Te Papa Tongarewa for their supreme manaaki and ĀtiawaToaFM for media production expertise and live stream coverage: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=search&v=1324530258526079
Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision prioritised the digitisation and online delivery of precious Te Māori audio-visual material—a massive effort—and launched these resources online to mark the 40-year anniversary for all to see and share: https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/explore-stories/curated-collections/celebrating-40-years-of-te-maori/
Te Kupeka Tiaki Taoka Trust ensured the presence of Te Mauri o Te Māori, and its safe passage from Murihiku to Waiwhetū and back again. Ngataiharuru Taepa curated the commemorative exhibition at Te Māori Centre with the generous support of the Mead, Henare, Puketapu, Broughton, Waikerepuru, Hetet, Sciascia and Schuster whānau and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa.
Photographer: Rawhitiroa Photography
Migoto Eria led the mātauranga Māori team at Te Papa Tongarewa to ensure taonga that featured in Te Māori were part of the hui. Special thanks also to Te Papa Tongarewa Iwi Relationships team, Hayley Hakaraia and Watene Campbell, and the ART Confederation (Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngāti Toa Rangitira) for the special magic they brought to the commemorative dinner.
Kāhui Kaitiaki (Māori Museum Workers), lead by Migoto Eria and Dr Jamie Metzger, with support from Paora Tibble and Te Paerangi National Services, also attended the hui in force ensuring that the interests of our kaitiaki taonga from around the motu were strongly represented and heard.
And we were all honoured by Pakipaki School whānau and their gift of ‘Te Hokinga Mai’ at the commemorative dinner; ngā mihi nui to Alistair Ferris and Trevor Moeke for making this happen.
HUI PHOTOS
View, share and download images from our official hui photographer, Te Rawhitiroa Bosch here:
To access the gallery, use the following case-sensitive password:
Gallery Password: ToiMāori
Use the following 4-digit PIN to download photos:
Download PIN: 3434
If any of these are used online or in social media please remember to credit: Rawhitiroa Photography and to tag:
Instagram – @rawhitiroa
Facebook – Rawhitiroa Photography
If you love and feel grateful for the work of Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, please leave a recommendation on the ‘Rawhitiroa Photography’ Facebook page – recommendations really help his mahi.
TE PAPA DINNER PHOTOS:
View, share and download images taken by Lulu Lance, Toi Māori Aotearoa Intern, from the Commemorative Dinner at Te Papa Tongarewa here:
Te Māori Tū also involved contributions from the following government agencies and departments:
Special thanks to the Houtina Māori Division at New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Manatū Aorere for serving as the hui secretariat. You can read their report here:
What’s next
We are pleased to announce that new Trustees are in the process of being appointed to Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust with the outcomes of this hui offering a solid foundation and guiding light for their mahi ahead.
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Piri Sciascia (1946-2020)
Chair
Dr Arapata Hakiwai
Trustee
Garry Nicholas
Trustee