Maspac grants

Tu Tangata, Issue 20, 1 October 1984, Page 19

Maspac grants

He iwi

A women’s collective is writing stories about the lives of some Maori women aged over 60. The collective is called Haeata and their purpose is to produce the 1985 New Zealand Herstory biographical diary. Until last year the herstories have concentrated on the lives of pakeha women. For 1985 the idea of a bilingual Maori women’s Herstory may bring about the balance. Haeata have received a grant of S2OOO. The name Haeata refers to the first shaft of light at dawn. And research and publication of a booklet on the life of a prominent Maori carver from the Foxton area, will be possible with the aid of a SI2OO grant from Maspac. Hokowhitu Ihakara Makarika was the last of the carvers invited by King Tawhiao to join the Te Motu carving school set up in 1880. Hokowhitu died in 1945. His carvings stand at Takihiku marae where they adorn the meeting house, while others are displayed at the Manawatu museum, Palmerston North. The unusual style of the carvings has prompted the people to support Mr Te Kenehi Taylor to research the life and carving style of this carver. Ranana Maori committee in Wanganui are restoring their whare “Te Morehu’’ and have received a S2OOO grant to buy tools and pay tutor fees. The whare is over 100 years old and over the years most of the carvings have disappeared. The marae communities intend to replace the missing carvings under the guidance of carver, Kohe Webster. Maori writer Witi Ihimaera will travel to Honolulu to discuss the establishment of a new Fellowship for the South Pacific region. He has been aided by a grant of SI2OO from Maspac. The intention is that the Fellowship would commenorate Sir Peter Buck and be called the Te Rangihiroa Memorial Fellowship for Pacific Studies. It will be based in Honolulu where Te Rangihiroa did most of his work. * Mrs Ana Loumoli of Auckland has received a grant of SBOO to assist her to travel to Tonga and research the historical background to traditional tongan dance. The leading expert on tongan dance is now in his seventies and Mrs Loumoli wishes to record his knowledge. * A Wanganui Pacific Cook Islands Cultural Group has received a grant of SSOO which will help the group purchase traditional Cook Island costumes and musical instruments.

A samoan composer of songs and chants, Reverend Leuatea lusitini Sio has received a grant of $2700 to assist his return to Samoa to record traditional samoan songs and chants.

He will also compile background material on the composers of the songs. Reverend Sio has composed many Samoan songs incorporating traditional mythology and customs as well as modern adaptation depicting the history of Samoan society both in Samoa and New Zealand.

He is aware that every year sees fewer of the samoan elders surviving who hold the knowledge of traditional songs and chants and the need for this recording project is therefore urgent.

At the end of the project he wishes to publish a book on his findings to help young Samoans understand the oral background of traditional samoan composers.

The Samoan Congregational Church Youth Group of Wellington have received a grant of SISOO to help purchase equipment as well as fees for two Samoan tutors.

The equipment and materials will be used for teaching traditional samoan cultural activities under the guidance of the two tutors.

Miss Rotorua Leu will teach samoan weaving, while Mr Toailoa Siaosi will tutor samoan oratory.

The youth group is part of the Samoan Congregational Church which is building a sl.l million complex in Newtown.

Tu Tangata business management (Massey) student Rangimarie Parata’s future lay in Japan from August 18-27.

The 19-year-old was selected by the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) to represent New Zealand at their 16th triennial conference.

The basis of her unapplied-for-selection was five years study of the Japanese language at Avonside Girls High School, Christchurch and a knowledge of maoritanga.

Miss Parata said she was able to give a younger viewpoint at the conference which focussed on “family and health.” She was asked to contribute to an inter-

national night of cultural exchange. The conference the second in Japan since 1958 was held at the National Women’s Education Centre (built in 1977 by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture]. The goals of the association have been to strengthen the bonds of peace among Pacific peoples, to foster better understanding and friendship and to promote co-operation among women for the study and improvement of social conditions.

Papua New Guinean musicians and Maori musicians got a chance to check each others acts when the group Sanguma toured recently.

The Auckland Branch of Nga Puna Waihanga (New Zealand Maori Artists and Writers Society) welcomed the group to Ngati Whatua territory and Aotearoa.

Dawn Underwood, Paki Cherrington. Joy Marino, Mingo Soy, Monti Siaosi and Matthew Crummer all sang a wai composed by the late Hori Tait to end the welcome. Sanguma has seven members. “Pulsating” is the way to describe this Papua New Guinea Jazz Club brought to New Zealand by the Auckland Cotton Jazz Club. They represent all nations of Papua New Guinea including members from the Sepik, Chimbu and New Ireland areas.

The group performed during July in Auckland and toured to Rotorua, Gisborne and Napier then returned home in August.

“Mind blowing" is perhaps another way of describing Sanguma's music. They use Western instruments as well as their traditional flutes and huge log drums. Their music is uniquely Papua New Guinea. It affirms their pride in their race and culture yet transcends culture to give a universal message.

The hypnotic sound reflects their background and universe in a unique and electrifying way. Birds, the forest, the voice of their ancestors, childrens songs, and opposums (kus kus) are all included in their music.