Stars come out for Matariki
Collaboration, conversation and performance will light up campus when AUT hosts Matariki celebrations.
AUT Faculty of Business and Law will host an opening event Whakapuawai 2013 on Saturday 22 June 6pm-9pm in association with Matariki Festival Trust, 2degrees and Te Puni Korkiri.
The theme is 'Celebrating Māori talent and success: creative industries' and entertainment features an on-stage conversation hosted by Dr Ella Henry, who has just completed a PhD in Māori Media, with The GC reality TV producer Bailey Mackay and Mt Zion film director Tearepa Kahi. There will also be performances by A Native Ensemble with Simone Holland, Maree Sheehan, Leonie Matoi, Allana Goldsmith, and Nancy Wijohn.
A set of waka huia (treasure boxes) will be gifted to Ari Hertz, the daughter of the late 2degrees CEO Eric Hertz and his wife Kathy. The couple were tragically killed earlier this year. Both had made a significant contribution to advancing Māori at AUT.
Agnes Naera, Programme Director Equity in the Faculty of Business and Law, said: “Hosting such an event provides a platform to engage in a meaningful way with people who have an interest in advancing the aspirations of Māori. The Māori whakatauki ‘Nau te rau rau, naku te rau rau, ka ora ai te iwi’ fittingly describes the intention of the hui, ‘Your basket with my basket, together we can achieve great things’.”
Whakapuawai 2013 will be held in the Sir Paul Reeves building. The late Sir Paul brought great mana to AUT as Chancellor from 2005-2011.
Staff and students are welcome to attend. Places are limited so please RSVP to Chantelle Lincoln, email: clincoln@aut.ac.nz.
Fale Matariki
On Saturday 20 July 10am-10pm and Sunday 21 July 10am-5pm, Te Ara Poutama the Faculty of Māori Development will host Fale Matariki to bring together Māori and Pasifika educators, story-tellers, film-makers, writers, artists and musicians to celebrate creative works at Nga Wai o Horotiu Marae (AUT Marae).
This innovative event includes short-film screenings, skills development workshops and round-table discussions to develop strategies to take Pasifika Māori stories to a wider global audience.
It is organised by Dr Henry and film-maker Whetu Fala, of Fala Media, in collaboration with Ngā Aho Whakaari, the association of Māori in screen production, the Pacific Island Media Association, Pacific Islanders in Film & Television, Auckland Council and the Commonwealth Foundation (UK).
Media enquiries
Esther Harward, Communications Manager, AUT
09 921 9688 / 021 632 309
eharward@aut.ac.nz