Across the road from the National Musem, on an area now converted to Pukeahu Park were the tatty prefabs of Wellington Polytech. There the beautiful TeAriki Mei and Huirangi Waikerepuru led other staff, including Lee Smith in teaching te reo Māori. Like many youngish Pākehā I joined the classes. Staff in the Museum Shop (which I … More whose language are you mangling now?
“A problem may be that Māori is a metaphorical culture. There are layers upon layers of symbol and meaning which inform the Maori world. For a Māori artist, much of the interest in the piece which uses traditional forms or concepts may be exploring and revealing or concealing such layers”. Te Awakotuku in Gifford, A. High … More more on appropriating
One of the great debates of the 1980s was about appropriation. I clearly remember a hui at Takapuwahia Marae in Porirua (now my local marae) where Harata Soloman and Mark Metekingi amongst other Ngati Toa elders hosted us. It was just before the Te Māori exhibition and there was concern amongst museum staff, in particular … More is it appropriate now?
thebiculturalist 