Members of the Ngati Poneke Club perform at the opening ceremony Wellington Maori Arts Festival From its opening, by the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr J. R. Hanan, the Maori Arts Festival held in Wellington from 8–16 April was a great success. The Governor-General, Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson, although unable to attend, was delighted to act as Patron, wished the Festival every success and expressed his confidence in a ‘happy and resounding outcome’. Festival President was the originator, Mr Arthur Cornish of the New Zealand Display Centre, who with Mr J. McEwen and Revd K. Ihaka made up the small organising committee. Many others took part in convening various activities during the festival, and probably the most lasting memory for those involved will be the friendliness and co-operation shown by individuals, organisations, business firms and above all, the local Maori clubs. Exhibitions were set up at Broadcasting House, the Turnbull Library, the Dominion Museum and the Display Centre, many ‘family treasures’ being lent for public display. Downstage theatre presented The Golden Lover and readings of New Zealand poetry, cooking demonstrations using Maori food were given daily, there were mid-day open air demonstrations at Civic Square on suitable days, and a lecture on a moa camp archaeological excavation was given at the museum. Hundreds of children of all ages came through the Display Centre, watching the making of flax food baskets and piupius, and taniko work. Several Niuean women showed their skill at weaving baskets and table mats, and many children had their first lesson in Niuean weaving. Eight first-year apprentice carpenters from the Petone Institute of Technology worked on National Publicity Studios photographs Carpentry apprentices at work on their garage. Instructors with them helped answer the many questions on the Department of Maori Affairs' Trade Training schemes