“Pop” In Maori Music

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 13

“Pop” In Maori Music

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 5. Speakers at the N.Z.B.C. Maori Song Competition today deplored the influence of “Tin Pan Alley” on Maori music and called for the establishment of a Maori cultural centre.

Mr J. McEwen, chairman of the Maori Purposes Fund and Secretary of Maori Affairs, said he was alarmed at the standard of modern Maori music. “We need something more than the latest pop tune with the words ‘haere mai’ added. It is just not good enough.” Many Maori people had forgotten what real Maori rhythm was, he said. “What they think is Maori rhythm is really ‘Tin Pan Alley.’ I have been accused of using Island rhythms in my own composition for this competition. I say, let’s go back to the Polynesian rhythms. That is better than using those from Africa or Europe or New York via “Tin Pan Alley.’ ” Dr. D. Sinclair, of Hamilton, speaking on behalf of the judges, who included Mr Ashley Heenan, said that more should be done to preserve the Maori culture before it disappeared. The young Maori was contributing much to New Zea-

land’s cultural life in such fields as ballet and opera, but more was needed. “I think it is time to review the need for a Maori cultural centre. Initially it could concentrate upon ballet and opera, but it could be expanded.” New Zealand was paying more attention to foreign cultures and languages than to Maori. “The old Maori people are rapidly fading away, but we are not accepting the challenge to go out and preserve what is left of our traditional culture. We are sending more people overseas to study foreign linguistic and cultural trends than we have doing the same job in New Zealand.” The prize-winners were:— Action song: Mrs Kohine Ponika, (Ruatoki North), 1; Mrs M. Raggett, (Gisborne) 2. Mrs D. K. Howarth (Upper Hutt) 3. Poi: Miss Flora Edwards and Miss Pukehui Cotter (St. Joseph’s Maori Girls’ College, Napier), the Rev. A. Broughton (Masterton), second senior group of Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls (Auckland) equal 1. Lyric: The Rev. A. Broughton 1, Mrs Howard 2, the Ma-wai-Hakona Maori Club (Heretaunga) 3. A special award recommen-

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ded by the judges for quality of entry and contribution to Maoritanga went to Miss Ngapine Thompson, of Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls.