Panui
News from the Toi Maori office
April 2008
29 Paenga-whawha 2008 / 29 April 2008
Tena Koutou,
The Toi Maori office is abuzz with new faces, new ideas, and new directions and is hitting the ground running in the successful wake of our recent programme, On the Bus: Far North tour, 2008. For information on any of our programmes and events, please keep an eye on our events page.
New and familiar faces at Toi Maori
This month sees the addition of three staff members. The two new faces that have joined the forces are Kate Rickett as Operations Assistant and Charlie Holland as Project Administrator for the Maori Writers National Hui and Pao Pao Pao. The third person to join the Toi Maori office is not ‘new’ to the scene by any means. After working at Toi Maori Aotearoa for close to ten years, Bert Waru’s retirement was short-lived. Bert is the Apiha Tautoko, and with his wealth of knowledge, warmth, and familiarity to the Maori arts community and the Toi Maori whanau, it’s good to have him back. Not so new to the office is Mayet, who works as our Finance Officer. Originally from the Philippines, Mayet has now made Aotearoa her home and her bubbly personality within the office is always fun to be around.
On the Bus contemporary Maori writers tour
The On the Bus: Far North tour 2008 was a great success. It took place from Monday 7 April through to Friday 11 April. The bus consisted of four contemporary writers, Apirana Taylor, Kelly Ana Morey, Hinemoana Baker and Joe Harawira. The tour was led by tour coordinator, Naomi Singer, with a guest appearance by novelist, James George. They visited places such as; Kawakawa, Paihia, Kaikohe, Moerewa, and Whangarei where they entertained and performed in a series of public events and at schools.
Samantha, one of the event hosts from Tuna Café in Moerewa commented: "What I enjoyed seeing was the kids in the crowd [at the event]. I didn’t expect to see any of our young ones here because all of the writers had been to the schools earlier that day, and yet, they loved it so much they came to see them again. There was also positive feedback from the adults as well; it was a really good night."
When asked what part of the performance stood out for her, without hesitation Samantha replied, "Apirana Taylor, he’s grrreat..."
The writers presented 13 events and right through to their final one, the writers never lacked in fervour or enthusiasm. Full credit has to be given to the touring writers who took time out of their busy lives to travel around the Far North to communities that would rarely have had the opportunity to see them otherwise.
Confirmed dates to mark in your dairies:
Annual General Meeting
17 May 2008
Wellington
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the beneficiaries Toi Maori Aotearoa Charitable Trust will be held in the Totara Room at the Brentwood Hotel, 16 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, on Saturday, 17 May 2008. Whakatau at 9.00am. Meeting to commence at 10.00am.
He Awhi Tikanga at Tribute 2008
31 May – 1 June 2008
Wellington
Tribute 08 is a gathering and a commemoration of all our Maori soldiers who severed in the Vietnam War. More details and information will be posted soon on our website.
Maori Writers National Hui
Friday 17 – Sunday 19 October 2008
Wellington Town Hall
111 Wakefield Street
Wellington
The Maori Writers National Hui is a biennial Hui that celebrates Maori writers and their works. It is a hui that encourages all aspiring Maori writers to attend as an opportunity for them to meet and listen to established writers talk about their craft. It also invites establish writers to come and meet with old friends and to gather new ideas. More details and information will be posted soon on our website.
The panui from the Toi Maori office will be updated regularly to help keep you informed. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts and comments.
Until next time, nga mihi,
Charlie Holland (Projects Administrator)
Toi Maori Aotearoa - Maori Arts New Zealand
Email: charlie@maoriart.org.nz