Maori arts too dependent on Govt—artist

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 21

Maori arts too dependent on Govt—artist

PA Wellington Maori art and craft work is becoming too dependent on Labour Department work schemes for funds, according to an artist and tutor at the Hawke’s Bay Community College, Mr Para Matchitt.

Speaking at a Maori visual arts hui at the Takapuahia marae, Porirua, Mr Matchitt emphasised that he was not against Labour Department work schemes. But he said that the marae, and not a Government department, should be the controlling body in the development of Maori craft skills. There was now almost an “expectation” that marae work projects would be funded by the department, he said.

“It is the easy way out but not necessarily the right one. The responsibility is not taken up by the marae.”

He also was concerned about the implications of people being paid for work which was once “freely done” on the marae.

Mr Matchitt, who made a mural for the TurangawaeWae marae in Ngaruawahia, said that he wanted complete programmes of employment set up on or near maraes, with craftsmen making their goods and strong, businesslike support teams providing administrated marketing knowledge. Funds for initial training programmes could come from grants from supportive agencies, he said.

The marae also should be the focus for learning programmes and Maori studies education for children but to achieve this extra facilities and teachers would be needed, he said.

About 80 artists and craftsmen from all over New Zealand attended the threeday hui which was organised by the Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts.

Other speakers included Messrs Selwyn Muru, Sandy Adsett, Fred Graham, John Hovell, Darcy Nicholas, Buck Nin, and Arnold Wilson.