Te Awa Tupua - The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition will be closing at Te Papa on Saturday 27 May. Developed in partnership with the Whanganui iwi, the exhibition opened November 2003 to present the stories of their past and the challenges and hopes for their present and future, through taonga (treasures and objects), photographs, video footage, and computer interactives.
Te Awa Tupua is built on the whakataukī (proverb) ‘E rere kau mai te awa nui mai i te kahui maunga ki Tangaroa - ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.’ ‘The great river flows from the mountain clan to Tangaroa - I am the river, the river is me.’ The exhibition shows what the river means to the Whanganui iwi in both the physical and spiritual sense, and examines the iwi’s history from how the iwi have been affected by changes to the lands bordering the river, the use of the river’s resources, to the issues around Moutoa Gardens (Pakaitore).
For the duration of the exhibition, Whanganui kaumātua (elders) in residence at Te Papa have carried out ceremonial duties on Te Papa’s marae. Te Otinga Te Pehi and Piki Waretini held these positions for the first half of the exhibition period, and Morvin and Kura Simon took up this role from May 2005.
"During our time here, the relationship and rapport between Whanganui Iwi and Te Papa has been enhanced ten-fold by way of a number of different corridors; the principle of which has been sharing aroha and tikanga (tradition and protocol), and a togetherness brought about by communal singing," said Morvin Simon.
Te Papa’s Kaihautū Te Taru White said "Te Papa has been so privileged to have had this time with Whanganui iwi. They have shared their knowledge, their culture, taonga and stories, and their aroha with us in a manner that has ensured the success of the exhibition - achieving about 1.3 million visitors to Te Awa Tupua. Through this close relationship we hope Whanganui iwi will always consider Te Papa their place."
Te Awa Tupua - The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition is the fourth in a continuing series of iwi exhibitions at Te Papa. These began in 1997 with Te Atiawa iwi, followed by exhibitions from Te Aupouri and Ngāi Tūhoe iwi. The next iwi exhibition will be Ngāi Tahu opening on 8 July 2006.
The closing weekend of Te Awa Tupua - The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition features a line-up of free events and entertainment, all from the Whanganui region. See the attached programme for details.
Contact
Bridget MacDonald, Manager Communications, 04 381 7083, 029 601 0180
TE AWA TUPUA: THE WHANGANUI IWI EXHIBITION - CLOSING EVENTS
FREE ENTRY.
Thursday 25 May
6pm-8pm: Whanganui Musical Showcase. Sample the best of Whanganui musical talent as we farewell our resident iwi in style. Features Te Reo o Nga Manu, Paradise Duo, Shem, Hokio, and Ranea Aperehama & Awha. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Te Reo o Nga Manu A family group, mainly from the Ponga whanau and whanaunga, that concentrates on authentic traditional sound. This group have taken traditional and well known standards such as ‘Korerorero’ and ‘Tama Ngakau Marie E’ and blended them into a more contemporary sound while still drawing on their traditional roots.
Paradise Duo features Willy Matthews (vocals/lead guitar) and Lynaire Simon (vocals), two accomplished musicians from highly musical Whanganui families. Five years ago they began playing together and the outcome was a unique and soulful sound. Their music draws on a love of the 1960s, blended with the more contemporary genres of disco and rhythm and blues. This duo excel in live performance - not to be missed!
Shem featuring former Herbs member Carl Perkins present songs compiled by the rangitahi (youth) of Whanganui.
Friday 26 May 2006
12.15pm-1pm: Te Kura o Kokohuia Join some of Whanganui’s most talented young people as they display divine wearable art and garments of harakeke (flax) ? all woven together in an exciting stage performance. The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Te Kura o Kokohuia Wearable Arts Fashion and Stage Show
Te Kura o Kokohuia presented their show as part of a Whanganui-Manawatu Schools Wearable Artz competition, for primary and secondary schools, in Palmerston North, 2005. The kura received many well-deserved placings and accolades for their awesome presentation which involved their whole school. The calibre of their fellow competing teams was of an extraordinarily high standard.
Saturday 27 May
Te Awa Tupua: The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition closes!
12 noon-4.30pm: The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition - Farewell Performances. Join in this celebration of an amazing exhibition as it prepares to close. Features Whanganui’s best kapa haka groups including Te Matapihi, Taumaranui High School, Te Wainuiarua and St Peter Chanel. Be part of an historic event! The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.
Te Matapihi Fully supported by the Aotea representative to the National Kapa Haka Festival for the past several years, Te Matapihi and the Iwi Kaumatua Ropu prepared for the opening of Te Awa Tupua two-and-a-half years ago. Te Ati Kimihia, a local community singing group set up by Morvin and Kura Simon back in 1999, will also perform.
Taumarunui High School - Te Ropu Kapa Haka o te Kura Tuarua o Taumarunui Te Ropu Kapa Haka o te Kura Tuarua o Taumarunui have been in existence for the past 25 years. Its main kaupapa is to support the learning of te reo me ona tikanga Mori through the medium of kapa haka. The group has a very high profile within Taumarunui High School and the local community. The group continues to enter into regional and national kapa haka festivals and has a string of achievements to its name. The senior students make up the Performing Arts Level 2 group and feature each year in the annual Matariki show. The group was placed sixth overall at the recent Manu Ariki National Festival and is proud to present their programme.