THE PRESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977. Maori culture in Christchurch

Press, 12 January 1977, Page 12

THE PRESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977. Maori culture in Christchurch

Christchurch is better known for its English background than as a centre of Maori population or culture. But with increasing numbers of Maoris living in Christchurch has come a greater awareness that the city is part of a multiracial and multi-cultural country. Although the city lacks any outstanding tradition of interest in, or encouragement of, Maori arts and crafts, Christchurch has seen regular Maori cultural competitions which have provided opportunities for those interested to see the performing arts of the Maori — oratory, action songs, poi and haka.

This month the people of Christchurch have an unusual opportunity to become familiar with the living material crafts of the Maori, and even gain some proficiency in them. The Maori arts festival, to be held at the Ham Teachers’ College, promises to do something to fill a gap in the cultural life of the city. The revival and preservation of Maori culture have been fostered mainly in the North Island, particularly at the nationally supported Maori Arts and Crafts Institute of Rotorua. Most of the trainees at the school of carving in Rotorua have been North Islanders, and have remained in the North Island. The women's craft tutors attached to the institute have been active mainly, but not exclusively.

in the North Island. The Christchurch festival, which will begin next weekend, should help to spread the influence of the institute.

These useful efforts are not a substitute for including some attention to Maori culture and arts into the school curriculum, and it is worth noting that many children at school today are receiving much more thorough training in Maori culture than was offered to most New Zealanders of past generations. The Maori language is taught at universities, teachers’ colleges and at some high schools; and Maori culture is a subject in primary schools. .

For those of the past generations who feel deprived because they had no chance at school to become familiar with the arts and crafts of the Maori, this festival provides an admirable opportunity to make up lost ground. The festival will, to some extent, test the depth of interest in the community in Maori culture, although it must be allowed that most people cannot afford to devote a whole week to the instruction unless they have planned to do so well in advance. However, if the festival arouses interest in Maori culture in a city that is generally neglectful of it, the effort will have been worth while.