Maori Art Meets America: Waka Ceremony at Dawn
Media Release 5 August 2005
Around 600 people greeted the Maori waka 'Te Ika a Maui' when it arrived on the beach at dawn at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park this morning* at the start of a major Maori arts and tourism promotion in San Francisco.
The dawn waka ceremony, in which Maori were formally welcomed by Ohlone representatives (the indigenous people of San Francisco), heralded the start of an 11-day series of events and promotional activity in the city to promote New Zealand to the American people.
'Maori Art Meets America' is a joint project by Toi Maori Aotearoa and Tourism New Zealand.
Toi Maori Aotearoa Chairperson Waana Davis said this morning's ceremony was a deeply moving occasion which included the presentation of a traditional woven cloak by Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. The cloak was made by Maori weavers from throughout New Zealand to be gifted to the city of San Francisco.
"The interest here in this event is enormous. The people of San Francisco have embraced Aotearoa in an overwhelming manner," she said.
"There is a real presence of New Zealand and Maori around the city," she said.
The event has attracted significant media interest in San Francisco with about 50 media representatives at this morning's ceremony.
Later in the morning, in another emotionally-charged ceremony, the exhibition 'Toi Maori - Art from the Maori people of New Zealand' opened at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The exhibition has work from top traditional and contemporary Maori artists and includes live demonstrations of weaving, carving, ta moko and clay work. It also encompasses 'The Eternal Thread - Te Aho Mutunga Kore,' a major weaving exhibition that is starting its year-long tour of the United States.