The Strength of Water
The Strength of Water was filmed in the haunting landscapes of the Hokianga in the far north of New Zealand. It was written by acclaimed award-winning New Zealand playwright Briar Grace-Smith and workshopped at the Sundance Directors’ and Screenwriters’ Labs in Utah in 2006. This is Grace-Smith’s first feature film script and will screen nation-wide as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival.
Simon Kaan: New Works
Dunedin artist Simon Kaan, renowned for his peaceful works featuring a layered land and seascape, exhibits new intaglio woodcuts at Solander gallery in Wellington from 17 June - 11 July. Land, sea and sky still dominate Kaan's new works, but the familiar waka shape that we are used to seeing are replaced by moth, waterfalls and rainbows.
Storylines Gavin Bishop Award
The Storylines Gavin Bishop Award recognises the contribution Gavin Bishop has made to the writing and illustrating of children’s picture books. This award aims to encourage the publication of new and exciting high-quality picture books from New Zealand illustrators. For more information go to www.storylines.org.nz
VAMOS! Whitireia Express
Whitireia Performing Arts presents a kaleidoscope of Maori, Samoan and Cook Islands dance. June 24-27, Wellington Performing Arts Centre, 36 Wellington Street, Wellington. Book online at www.wpac.org.nz. For more information call 04 385 8033.
The Paerangi Lectures, Maori Horizons 2020 and Beyond
Massey University is presenting a set of three lectures by Professor Mason Durie; Pae Matatū: Sustaining the Māori Estate, Pae Ora: Māori Health Horizons, and Pae Mana: Waitangi and the Evolving State. These lectures are free and open to members of the public. However, seats are limited. For more information please email C.TeRangi@Massey.ac.nz.
Kupu Rere
Themed on Matariki (Maori new year), Kupu Rere (flying, fast word) is an annual poetry slam held in Auckland city during the time of Matariki in June / July. All poets (18 years +) are eligible to participate - bring three poems that are inspired by Matariki. Kupu Rere will be held on 12 July 09, at The Classic, 321 Queen Street, Auckland City.
Mark Kopua in Brisbane
Tohunga ta moko artist Mark Kopua will be working in Brisbane from 8 - 18 June. If you would like to make a booking with him, please email uruora@gmail.com
ATAMIRA - Maori in the City
Building on its inaugural 2007 success, ATAMIRA - Maori in the City, the celebration of Maori creativity and enterprise, returns to the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland from 3 - 5 July. Open daily, 10am - 4pm. Music stages operating Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.
Nga Aho Whakaari Annual Conference
Held 12th-14th June 2009 at Orakei Marae. Inspiring speeches, informative presentations, korero with networks, funding agents and colleagues, craft workshops and thought provoking debate. Saturday 13th dinner to present the inaugural M.I.F.T (Maori in Film and TV) Awards and entertainment from Adijah. Visit their website to register at www.ngaahowhakaari.co.nz
He Koha ma Bob Marley
Award winning Aotearoa reggae artist Ruia Aperahama travels to Jamaica to gift his reo Maori Bob Marley albums to the legends family. Maori Television 24 June 8.30pm
Okareka Dance Company present Tama Ma
Okareka Dance Company present their new production Tama Ma, at the Soundings Theatre at Te Papa, July 7th - 10th 2009. Tama Ma features two of New Zealand's most acclaimed contemporary dancers Taane Mete and Taiaroa Royal. For further dates and locations of their 2009 tour visit www.nzlive.com
Films to Celebrate Matariki
This year the film archives kaupapa for the Matariki screening is to depict and contextualise everyday life within the Maori communities around Aotearoa. They will present a diverse collection of excerpts from the early 1900s to the 1960s showing everyday life in the communities, marae and pa throughout Aotearoa.Wednesday 10 June, 7.00pm Wellington Film Archive. Entry by koha.
Maori Architecture - book launch
The Architectural Centre, in association with the Wellington Branch of the NZIA, the School of Architecture, Victoria University and Te Ropu Awhina Whanau invite you to celebrate the publication of Deidre Brown's Maori Architecture: From fale to wharenui & beyond. Thursday 18 June, 5.45pm at LT1, School of Architecture, Victoria University (Te Aro campus), 139 Vivian Street, Wellington
Reflection, Battle of Crete 1941, New Works in New Media
You can experience Manos Nathan's body of new work, Reflection, Battle of Crete 1941, New Works in New Media which is exhibiting in the Blue Pacific Gallery at Pataka Museum from 9 May until 1 June. Manos Nathan is one of New Zealand's leading ceramicists.
He Waiata Whaiaipo
A new exhibition of moving image works by Rachael Rakena. Exhibition showing 19 May - 11 July 2009 at Bartley and Company Art, 56A Ghuznee Street, Wellington.
Matariki – The Navigator
New works by Annabelle Buick (multimedia), Deirdre Nehua (writer/poet), Diane Prince (multimedia), June Grant (painter), Robyn Kahukiwa (painter), Sam Farquhar (printmaker), Vicky Thomas (photography). Showing at Kura Gallery in Wellington from 29 May to 21 June.