Many supporters of ‘Te Maori’

Press, 10 July 1985, Page 16

Many supporters of ‘Te Maori’

From

JOHN HUTCHISON,

in San Francisco

A parade of corporations, endowment funds, New Zealand Government officials, and individuals marks the list of those whose contributions of funds, services, and energies which have “made possible” the exhibition called “Te Maori” which will open to the public here tomorrow. Also on the list is Mrs Paul L. Wattis, whose name appears discreetly on the list of donors. “Made possible by” is a phrase which appears repeatedly in publicity for many art and cultural events, and “Te Maori,” called the greatest collection of Maori treasures taken abroad, has many benefactors, without whom the exhibition presumably could never have been assembled from 13 New Zealand museums, packed, insured against loss, shipped, mounted and shown in American cities from coast to coast. ~

The literature says the tour of the collection to New York, St Louis, and San Francisco was made possible by a grant from Mobil, the world-wide oil company which funds scores of /(eyltural

activities. It also says that the presentation of “Te Maori” in San Francisco is made possible by Bechtel and a special grant of United States funds, and, without further identification, by Mrs Wattis. Bechtel is the large group of contracting and engineering companies, based in San Francisco, involved in many projects around the world. The group has 30 years of experience in New Zealand, where its best-known current project is the gas-to-gasoline plant near New Plymouth, to use a Mobil process. Mrs Wattis is a San Franciscan philanthropist, a trustee of the museum where “Te Maori” will be presented, and a devotee of primitive art. Although she is away from the city, an official at the de Young museum said that Mrs Wattis, an important benefactor of the institution, has visited New Zealand on several occasions, and that she will be here to attend the opening ceremonies. Her contribution to “Te Maori” has not been revealed, but she is called a substantial patron. £

Air New Zealand has had an active part in the project since it transported the collection to the United States, and it has provided travel for various members of the large party of Maori representatives which takes part in presenting the exhibit. The New Zealand Development Finance Corporation, the Bank of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Government also make aspects of the exhibition possible, with hefty donations of money, time or services. Bechtel, the D.F.C. and the B.N.Z. are major sponsors of a reception and buffet offering 700 guests a preview of the collection tonight. The chef who prepared the city’s banquet for the Queen on her 1983 visit to San Francisco, Mr Norbert Brandt of the renowned Westin-St Francis Hotel, has been engaged as caterer. The venue, the Hearst Court of the museum, will be the impressive hall where Her Majesty was entertained.

Fifteen New Zealand-related importers and distributors will contribute seafood, beef, lamb, venison, wine, minerals, fruit, cheese, breads and flowers for the affair, described as the most elaborate

spread of New Zealand fare ever organised by the New Zealand Trade Commission here. Patrons of the museum, an expected group of 150 visitors from New Zealand, the Ambassador, Sir Wallace Rowling and Lady Rowling, the consular corps, and the press will attend. Many of the same guests will breakfast in the Hearst Court tomorrow, after a Maori ceremony at dawn — 5.28 a.m. The New Zealand ConsulateGeneral here, co-operating with museum officials and other organisations on a series of events associated with the exhibition, lists the donors of New Zealand produce for the unprecedented buffet as the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board; Thomas Richard and Company, Ltd; Sealord Products, Ltd; the New Zealand Meat Producers Board; the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board; the New Zealand Kiwifruit Authority; Turners and Growers, Ltd;

Produce Export, Ltd; the New Zealand Dairy Board; Sunset Flowers of New Zealand; F.C.W. (Aulsebrooks); Tung Young Trading Corporation; Fernland of Hamilton; and Penfolds Wines.