Conference at Te Kaha by Witi Ihimaera THE SIGNS WERE GOOD: Tanemahuta had sent birds to sing, Tangaroa had sent four whales to appear on the horizon, and Ranginui had shed tears upon the marae at Te Kaha. Bill Tawhai, chairman of the conference. With these signs, nothing but success and optimism could attend the first national conference of Maori Artists and Writers, sponsored by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, and held at historic Tukaki marae during Queen's Birthday Weekend. Convened by poet Hone Tuwhare, the conference attracted over two hundred people either involved or interested in Maori culture. They included writers, poets, artists, sculptors, photographers, actors, dancers, carvers and culture group leaders. Among them were Ralph Hotere, Kura Rewiri, Buck Nin, Selwyn Muru, Rei Hamon, Para Matchitt, Tui Zanetich, Micky Wairoa, Paul Katene, Rowley Habib, Dun Mihaka, Witi Ihimaera, Dinah Rawiri, Rose Denness, Ngahuia Rawiri, Roka Paora, Mana Cracknell, Ivan Wirepa, Donna Awatere, John Taiapa, Tuti Tukaokao, Bub Wehi, Elizabeth Murchie, Val Irwin, Syd and Hana Jackson, Sonny Waru, Haare Williams, Don Soloman, Paul Manu, Mihi Roberts, Bill Tawhai, Malta Sydney and Dr Douglas Sinclair. Many of these people have appeared in the pages of Te Ao Hou. Together with the other visitors — school and university students — they came to express their concern about the development of Maori creativity and tried to formulate ways in which this could be stimulated. One felt that the late Dr Maharaia Winiata would have been pleased with the result. Before his death, Dr Winiata had tried to organise a conference such as this one. Opened by Mr P. B. Reweti, Member for Eastern Maori, the conference began with Te Whanau-A-Apanui District High School Cultural group performs.