New Chairperson appointed
Te Ope o Rehua has a new Pouwhakahaere (Chairperson)
Stephen Bradshaw from Auckland replaces Trevor Horowaewae Maxwell from Rotorua, who continues to hold his position as a trustee for Toi Māori Aotearoa - Māori Arts New Zealand.
Stephen is of Ngāti Maru descent and was artistic director of Te Kanikani O Te Rangatahi and Taiao Dance Theatre from 1984 - 1994. Stephen has also been involved in the tertiary education arts sector and has recently choreographed work for Atamira Dance Collective, based in Auckland. He has advised on a broad range of artistic initiatives and programmes over the years and is currently employed by Auckland City Council as an arts co-ordinator.
Te Ope o Rehua members Merenia Gray (Wellington), Mere Boynton (Gisborne) and Terri Ripeka Crawford (Hamilton) offer a range of specialist skills in dance and drama, and ably support Stephen in his new role.
Te Ope o Rehua initiates projects that support the growth and visibility of Māori theatre and dance performance. Recent projects have included:
- a National dance wānanga in 2001
- African performer and choreographer, Germaine Acogny (Senegal) workshop with leading Māori choreographers and performers in 2002
- new choreographies by Merenia Gray, Stephen Bradshaw, Moana Nepia and Louise Potiki Bryant completed in 2003.
Te Ope o Rehua looks forward to exploring a range of infrastructure initiatives as well as developing relationships with other performing arts networks and organisations with the view of growing partnerships with mutual benefits.
Stephen Bradshaw comments "I look forward to this new challenge and hope to bring the dynamic creative energy of Māori performing arts to the fore".
Toi Māori Aotearoa has a total of ten national artform committees with ongoing projects and events throughout the year.
For further enquiries regarding Te Ope o Rehua and its future initiatives, please contact Stephen Bradshaw, c/- Toi Māori.
August 2003