Maori in Tourism Rotorua is a non-profit, professional organisation dedicated to supporting Maori in tourism, particularly within Rotorua. Earlier this year their committee team began to work with the local Maori arts sector by gathering and sharing ideas that later grew into the development of a long term interactive creative plan. Maori in Tourism Rotorua is a non-profit, professional organisation dedicated to supporting Maori in tourism, particularly within Rotorua. Earlier this year their committee team began to work with the local Maori arts sector by gathering and sharing ideas that later grew into the development of a long term interactive creative plan.Currently Maori in Tourism Rotorua has 36 full members & 40 associate members - representing individuals through to large business. As a part of their strategic planning MiTR recognised the benefits in supporting local arts within the community as a way to achieve a 'win, win' situation for both artists and tourism operators.

Earlier this year their committee team began to work with the local Maori arts sector by gathering and sharing ideas that later grew into the development of a long term interactive creative plan. Different projects have begun to take shape that both enhance public awareness in local arts, and international interest that span the education, business and new enterprise sectors. Some of these projects include exhibitions, lectures, workshops, an interactive dinning experience with local artists, etc.
'This is such a positive opportunity for local arts not just Maori arts, because these and other projects can grow to include all areas of arts in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty region.' says Henriata Nicholas a local Maori artist.
This has a positive vibe from the local council, other tourist operators in the area, hoteliers, not to mention a hum of excitement within the arts community in Rotorua.
'If you want your work to get exposure then you have to get out there and either create the opportunity locally, go overseas via the internet or travel which is a huge expense, or try and hook into a gallery willing to take your work. What's great about MiTR is that they are utilising their expertise and networks to support creative projects and are willing to help develop new creative enterprises. That's a huge thing for artists to have someone or an organisation that will support you to develop opportunities that will inevitably we can all benefit from.'

The first of these projects is an exhibition - TE MAURI O TE HAERENGA - THE ESSENCE OF THE JOURNEY on from 2nd-8th JULY 2005. This is an exhibition of Maori & Hawai'ian artists exploring the cultural essence of Mataariki & contemporary life in Aotearoa & the Pacific.
This exhibition is in celebration of the creativity that emerges from the brush strokes, chisel marks, woven fibres, hardened clay, etc., and the artists that produce the work. Their works are not only inspired by political landscapes, exploding geysers or beautiful scenic views but stem from the personal spiritual identities from within.
The exhibition is open to the public: Sat & Sun 10am-6pm, and Mon-Fri 9am-6pm.
It takes place at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua downstairs in Conference Rm 5 (poolside).

If you're down in Rotorua for the first week of July don't forget to catch this.

For more information email Henriata or Frances on 07-349-1515