The Second Breath by Witi Ihimaera The first breath had been drawn at Te Kaha last year. This year came the second breath at Wairoa. The occasion was the second Maori Writers and Artists Conference, held during Queen's Birthday Weekend. Like the first, it revealed an urgent need to extend the opportunities for Maori creativity to flourish. Over 400 people attended this year's conference, an increase of 200 on last year. They came from all parts of Aotearoa to gather in Ngati Kahungunu country at the maraes Takitimu and Taihoa. And they owe one person above all their gratitude for being able to meet together—Mihi Roberts, Conference Convener. Many months before the conference she had been working virtually single-handed on the hui. The task was a formidable one and, as had been shown by Mihi Roberts, conference convener. Hone Tuwhare who had been convener for the initial conference, the direction and format for this year's event took their bearings from her. Last year, there had been a lot of talk and passing of remits. This year, Mihi wanted more action in the form of workshop sessions in the traditional and contemporary Maori arts. She wanted this conference to be more constructive, and attempted to encourage by practical means the artistic expression of those people attending. Kia ora, Mihi. Undoubtedly, it's impossible to turn people into artists and the like over a weekend, but it would not be surprising if future Maori artists stemmed from that weekend. Constructive action set the pace for the conference. Indeed, it became a kind of “teach-in” with workshop sessions in writing, art, creative dance, photography, screen-printing and other contemporary art forms, conducted by such luminaries as Harry Dansey, Ani Bosch, Hone Tuwhare. Robin White, Haare Williams, Don Soloman and Elizabeth Murchie. Offering their advice and expertise were Patricia Grace, Selwyn Muru, Fred Graham, Rowley Habib, Tilly Reedy, Paul Katene, Michael King, and many others. Chairman for this year's conference was Dr Douglas Sinclair. But the action was not mainly in the contemporary arts field at all. From the very beginning, the Takitimu and Taihoa maraes exerted a strong influence on the shape of the conference. Here, where Maori tradition was very much an intact force, the strength of the traditional arts began to be felt. The oratorical gifts of the local elders including Syd Carroll who was deputising for Sir Turi