What's happening in Gisborne-Tairāwhiti this Matariki holiday weekend
Saturday, June 21
Pōneke band Tahini Bikini perform their neo-soul funk at the Dome Bar from 8pm.
Hau Kainga exhibition at Tairāwhiti Museum, until August 24, featuring the work of traditional fibre and contemporary Māori artists and sisters Michelle Kerr, Claudette Collis and Fiona Collis.
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Otago Daily Times
42 minutes ago
- Otago Daily Times
‘Remarkable' award honours roots
Sir Ian Taylor says he has only been able to join the likes of Walt Disney in receiving a global innovation award because he set up his company in Dunedin. Sir Ian (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pahauwera) has been awarded the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers' (SMPTE) global progress medal for his decades-long leadership and technological innovation in animation and sports production. Previous winners of the progress medal include Walt Disney (1940) and Ray M Dolby (1983). It is not awarded every year. Sir Ian founded technology and animation company Animation Research Ltd, known for its work in computer-generated imagery and virtual reality applications, in 1990. He was proud the company's sports division, Virtual Eye, was a sports graphics company people had never heard of — "because our clients' stories have always been more important to us than our own". "I come in here every day and am blown away by what they do and I've done that for 35 years. "That excitement has never dimmed, not because of me, but because of what I see happening here." He initially thought an email telling him of the award was a scam and it was a "remarkable" feeling when he realised it was legitimate. The medal also recognised Dunedin, he said. "I don't think I could have done this anywhere else." Head and founder of Animation Research Sir Ian Taylor (centre), of Dunedin, has been awarded the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers' global progress medal for his decades-long leadership and technological innovation in animation and sports production. He is seen here with Paul Sharp (left) and Craig McNaughton, senior developers at Virtual Eye, the sports division of the company. Photo: Gerard O'Brien The company had been set up in the city on the basis "we weren't ever leaving". "There's a Māori saying, a Māori whakatauki, which in English is, 'the footsteps we lay down in our past create the paving stones of where we stand today'. "And in that Māori world view, the footsteps are always in front of us, so we always see out there." Virtual Eye's success was an example of that kaupapa, which the city should continue to embrace, Sir Ian said. "Because I think one of the reasons we may have got this award was when you look at what we've done, nearly all of it is a world first, and it came out of the city of firsts. "All of the acknowledgments and awards, I've just been the luckiest person on the planet to be in the right place at the right time. "The one that gets to stand out the front and say thanks. But I'm saying thanks for all of us." SMPTE Oceania chairman Paul Whybrow said Sir Ian was "a humble leader" and a great supporter of the organisation's Oceania branch. "We feel so proud that an innovator from the Oceania region can make such a global impact for sports fans over decades." Sir Ian's award was recognised in Sydney last night and he will be given the award in October at the SMPTE Media Technology Summit in Pasadena, California.
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Rediscovering tīpuna
Raising the profile of 19th century Māori leader H.K. Taiaroa's life and work is the aim of a new exhibition at Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Rebecca Fox discovers the different ways the man and his work are being brought to life today. Standing in the same whenua in which his tipuna H.K. Taiaroa stood more than 120 years ago has helped dancer, choreographer and artist Taiaroa Royal become more grounded in his southern whakapapa. "It was very moving." Royal was born and grew up in the North Island, on a family farm near Rotorua where he lives today. While named Taiaroa, he only knew he received that name as it was his father's name, his grandmother's surname and it came from the South Island. He had no idea he was a direct descendent of H.K. Taiaroa, the 19th century southern Māori politician and leader, and only began to connect with members of his southern whānau as an adult when he came to Dunedin on tours with different shows. So when the opportunity arose to take part in an exhibition honouring the life of H.K. Taiaroa, who was born at Ōtākou, on Otago peninsula, probably in the 1830s or early 1840s, he grabbed it and took the opportunity to fill in the gaps of his whakapapa. "So, it's a huge honour and a huge privilege to be able to create this work." Learning about Hōri Kerei Taiaroa, known as H.K., and his wife Tini Kerei Taiaroa, Royal discovered a man considered to be a "huge force", not only by his whānau but also by the wider Otago community, especially in the field of politics. H.K. Taiaroa represented southern Māori in the House of Representatives (1871-78, 1881-85) and a member of the Legistlative Council (1879-80, 1885-1905), speaking in Parliament on a wide range of issues facing Māori, but one of his main goals was to get Kāi Tahu claims heard by government. Having written down much of his thoughts over his lifetime, there is a rich resource about the man and his work, which has been gradually translated and used over the years to support Kāi Tahu claims, art, research and language revitalisation. As Royal, who has received national awards for his dance works and contribution to New Zealand contemporary dance, knew much of this aspect of his life was therefore covered, his interest was in H.K. Taiaroa as a man, as a father and a husband. His writings showed him to be a loving father, very invested in his whānau and community. "Having the opportunity to create this presentation, this artwork around H.K. Taiaroa has drawn me closer to that side of my family, which I'm really, really grateful for. And it has really strengthened the bonds I now have with that side of my family." Royal describes the man he has learnt about as a gentle man, despite his reputation as a fierce, staunch politician who stood up for his people. "He was a huge, tall man but a gentle giant. I feel that that trait has been passed down because my father was the same, although he wasn't a big man, but he was a very gentle man. And everyone says that I'm the same as well. And even [his niece's son] Karlos-Taiaroa. So there seems to be that kind of energy or trait or gene that has been passed down." He also believes the legacy of H.K. Taiaroa's work continues today. "He was forging ahead back in the 1870s to 1905 and a lot of his work and groundwork back then has helped shape a lot of the political environment, in particular with Māori land claims and stuff like that today. So, you know, it's quite special." Reading some of H.K. Taiaroa's personal writings, a passage stood out: H.K. Taiaroa described standing on the Kaitōrete spit, on the southern shores of Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) in Canterbury, looking at the beach with the tide coming in and going out, contemplating his name, which means long, long tide. "I was really drawn to that. So, that was where I was going to approach my presentation, my piece of artwork for this exhibition." As it is not possible for Royal to perform live for the entire exhibition, he has created a 20-minute looped-video that will be projected on the walls of the gallery. It includes an eight-minute performance element. In the video he plays H.K. Taiaroa and is filmed standing on that spot on the Kaitōrete spit speaking the words of his tipuna. It was vital to Royal that the area of Taumutu (near Lake Ellesmere) where H.K. Taiaroa and his wife lived was filmed and used in the piece. "That was really quite special as well, to kind of feel his wairua. It's interesting how audiovisual or film or video can evoke those layers quite quickly and being able to embody his wairua within the footage and then to play myself on the footage communicating to H.K. through this medium is quite special. "And knowing that we're leading up to this exhibition and so his presence is getting more and more stronger, I think. And I feel that he is with me and with us." It was important to Royal that the mana of H.K. Taiaroa was honoured, a challenge in such a short piece. To help create the mood, much of the video is done in slow motion. "So, it gives you that sense of being back in time, being almost frozen in a snippet ... I'm hoping the viewer will be transported to that time where he's standing on the beach contemplating those thoughts." The significance of the project has grown with the inclusion of family members, including the next generation. Royal's niece's son is named Karlos-Taiaroa Pewhairangi-Charlie. "His voice is also in the video. So four, five generations of artists working on this." Mātanga mātauranga Māori, cultural adviser for the work, Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield is also descended from H.K. Taiaroa. The audiovisual and soundscape have been created by Kāi Tahu artists, choreographer Louise Pōtiki Bryant and her musician husband Paddy Free along with Royal's niece Kēri Pewhairangi, who created a tune for a waiata for the piece, and her business partner Ty Gage, who are taonga puoro players. "So, it began to be kind of like an extended whānau creation." Everything he has learned on the journey has opened up so many other avenues for him as an artist. "Being a creator of Māori contemporary dance and telling stories, it's just opened up so many other stories to tell through Māori contemporary dance for me." Royal's work is one aspect of the exhibition "H.K. Taiaroa: 'Kua marara hoki ngā mana o tōna kaha ki runga i te katoa" created by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in collaboration with Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou and the Riki Te Mairaki Ellison Taiaroa Whānau Trust. Working with these parties were curators Piupiu Maya Turei and Mya Morrison-Middleton. "The exhibition is a platform to bring H.K and the wider whenua histories more forward into the public consciousness," Morrison-Middleton says. "It's a great way to learn about history and experience history as well." Three and a-half years in the making, the exhibition also includes new work by contemporary Māori artist Ephraim Russell, who does a lot of work in public spaces, and existing work by Ralph Hotere, Gottfried Lindauer, and Fiona Pardington, blended with taoka such as kete woven by Tini Kerei Taiaroa. "I'm quite excited to see their work installed in the gallery, because it's going to be beautiful and immersive. And they both do a really good job of responding to the kaupapa and uplifting in gorgeous ways," Turei says. As part of raising awareness of H.K. Taiaroa, a panel discussion will be held, involving Ōtākou Rūnaka upoko Edward Ellison, Megan Potiki (Kāi Tahu), Prof Tony Ballantyne, Prof Angela Wanhalla, and Ella McDonald, who is a direct descendant of H.K. Taiaroa, on the question "Where were my tīpuna in this city?". "I think there's a real desire to see long-standing mana whenua histories, come to visibility within the city. You can see that through these public art works that have been installed and a lot of the narratives that are being worked into the city centre," Morrison-Middleton says. Another part of the exhibition are rubbing stations, created with the help of artists Aroha Novak and Madison Kelly, where children can take rubbings of different kai moana that would have been around Otago Harbour in H.K. Taiaroa's time — as he did a lot of work in the late 1870s and 1880s collecting knowledge from kaumātua around Te Waipounamu about what kai they were collecting and where. Like Royal, Morrison-Middleton and Turei have come away from their work with a clearer picture of H.K. Taiaroa of a man with great integrity and kindness and a hope that it encourages people to dig deeper into the region's history. "I hope that people will get a window into this man's life and through this family, into a time in Ōtepoti and in New Zealand's history, and ultimately come away with an understanding of something — maybe they had no idea who H.K. Taiaroa was before," Turei says. To see H.K. Taiaroa, August 4 — November 23. Opening events, August 3, 10.30am: Panel discussion on the question 'Where were my tīpuna in this city?'; 11.30am: Waiata and haka performance by rakatahi rōpū He Waka Kōtuia; 1pm: HURIWHENUA performance by Taiaroa Royal.
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
NZSO And Wairea Company To Headline Aronui Arts Festival 2025
Rotorua-based Wairea Company, in collaboration with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, will headline Aronui Arts Festival 2025 this September with their bold new work Atua Wahine. An ode to the revival of Atua Wahine stories through contemporary dance, classical orchestration and traditional Māori instruments. Following the success of Aronui's Matariki Drone Show, which drew over 35,000 people across two nights, the festival returns with a curated programme that focused on high-impact, deeply grounded works that highlight Indigenous storytelling and creativity. Atua Wahine is part of a wider offering from Aronui Arts Festival. The festival will showcase an inspiring lineup of live music, performance art, and solo works. Aronui Creative Director and Founder, Cian Elyse White says, 'It's an honour to announce the 2025 festival lineup headlined by the NZSO and Wairea, who are delving into a new work seeded at last year's festival. Arts are an essential service, and after the success of the ARONUI Matariki programme, including our drone show, we are stoked to bring our September festival back to the community.' Created and directed by acclaimed artist Rangipo Ihakara, Atua Wahine breathes life into the stories of Māori goddesses through an immersive performance that features wāhine of all ages. The production blends contemporary dance, taonga puoro, and the orchestral power of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 'Atua Wahine is an offering. A coming together of wāhine across generations to embody the essence of our ancient Māori goddesses through movement, sound, and spirit,' says Ihakara. 'Through Māori contemporary dance, classical music and taonga puoro, we allow the audience to feel and sense their way through the piece. To foster a space where they are able to tap into their own consciousness to create, to add their own intentions, to have conversations, to get uncomfortable, and to be comforted.' This piece is the second phase of Wairea's exploration into Atua Wahine, following their debut collaboration with Heipūkarea - an event that celebrated wāhine Māori creatives across disciplines and supported the launch of Hana Tapiata's book Atua Wahine - The Ancient wisdom of the Maori goddesses. The experience inspired the company to go deeper, reconnecting with Atua through movement, music, and story. 'In te ao Māori and Indigenous cultures, feeling, sensing, and language are vital forms of communication and connection. Concepts such as mahi a te wairua (spiritual work), te mauri o te tangata (the life force of a person), and te reo me ngā tikanga (language and customs) are foundational to this performance. By embracing wairua (spirit) and mauri (life force), we navigate the creative process - crafting an Indigenous musical that resonates with all audiences,' says Ihakara. Aronui Arts Festival will be held from 11 - 21 September at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre and Thurston Theatre. Atua Wahine will run from 11 - 13 September in Sir Owen Glenn Theatre/Matangi Rau in the Sir Howard Morrison Centre. For tickets and more information, visit About Wairea Company: Wairea Company is dedicated to presenting innovative and culturally significant performances highlighting Indigenous narratives and fostering community collaboration. They aim to inspire and empower audiences by showcasing the richness of Māori and other Indigenous cultures. About Aronui Arts Festival: The Aronui Arts Festival celebrates indigenous cultures' diversity and creativity through various artistic expressions, including music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. The festival aims to foster understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage while providing a platform for artists to share their stories and talents.
