Creative New Zealand has initiated a national research project that will look at the health of Maori heritage arts.

Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku chair of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand, says the research sets a precedent as the first national research to be carried out looking at the levels of participation in Maori heritage arts.

“The resurgence of our heritage artforms since the time of Sir Apirana Ngata has been phenomenal. This research will give us an indication of how prolific certain artforms are in which regions and where there are gaps that need support,” she said.

The project seeks to highlight the existing strengths, gaps and opportunities within Maori heritage arts practice across the country. The findings will inform future funding decisions and initiatives, and achieve targeted arts development outcomes and assist iwi to prioritise their own initiatives.

In 2007 Creative New Zealand adopted a three-year strategic plan with four strategic priorities, the first being New Zealanders are engaged in the arts. This priority acknowledges the value of investing in Maori communities to strengthen and build cultural identity through the arts.

The Creative New Zealand research findings will be published later in the year and will be of interest to other funding, teaching and support institutions and networks across the country that engage with the development and revitalization of M?ori heritage arts.

Award winning research consultants K?whai Consultancy Ltd have been contracted to conduct the research which will cover M?ori heritage artforms across the country. Aroha Waetford (Ng?ti Haua, Atihaunui-a-Paparangi, Ng?puhi), Shane Te Makau Te Ruki (Ng?ti Maniapoto, Ng?ti Te Rangi, Ng?ti Ranginui) and Piki Knap (Ng?ti Maniapoto, Ng?i Te Rangi, Ng?ti Ranginui) are the key researchers who will undertake the research.

For the purposes of this project, Maori heriatge art refers to these traditional art forms: toi whakairo (carving), k?whaiwhai (art of rafter decoration), tukutuku (wall decoration), ng? mahi a te whare pora (weaving, textiles, basketry), whaik?rero, karanga, and whakapapa recitation (the oral arts), waiata m?teatea and pao (traditional song and chant composition), taonga puoro (traditional instruments), t? moko (the art of body modification), tarai waka (canoe design and construction, voyaging, navigation), haka (composition, teaching and performance), whare maire (the arts of T?matauenga – martial arts), traditional games (whakaropiropi, m? t?rere, mahi whai etc). The focus of the research is on M?ori arts participation and does not seek to collect traditional knowledge from the participants.

All inquiries regarding this project can be directed to Puawai Cairns, Policy and Projects Adviser, M?ori Arts, puawai.cairns@creativenz.govt.nz / 04 498 0705.

For further information about K?whai Consultancy Ltd see their website www.kowhai.biz

Image: Heeni Kerekere

17/02/09