Exhibition celebrates 70 years of Ma¯ori magazine
The entire collection of a Ma¯ori magazine, described as ‘‘a marae on paper’’, is now on display in Christchurch.
The exhibition, Te Ao Hou: A Moment in Time, showcases the collection of the magazine Te Ao Hou. It runs from April 16 to August 7 at the Southbase Gallery in Tu¯ ranga.
The magazine was published quarterly between 1952 and 1975. It included topics and events most important to Ma¯ ori and represented the tenacity and elegance of the Ma¯ ori spirit.
July will mark 70 years since its first issue. ‘‘The first article in the first issue promised to ‘become like a marae on paper, where all questions of interest to Ma¯ ori can be discussed’,’’ Christchurch City Council head of libraries and information Carolyn Robertson said.
‘‘It is also the basis for the exhibition.’’ Robertson said the exhibition content has followed the po¯ whiri process, an official welcome removing the barriers between manuhiri (visitors) and the hau kainga (hosts).
‘‘Our curator will refresh and change the content over its four-month duration. So people will have to come and visit more than once to experience it fully.’’
The kawa (process) of the po¯ whiri lifts the tapu that manuhiri are bound by.
It includes Karanga (the call of welcome), Whaiko¯rero (the speechmaking process), Hongi (meeting and connection), Ha¯ kari (the feast, more connection but also finalises the formal part of the process), and Poroporoaki (farewell, time of reflection).
The exhibition will travel around other Christchurch City Council libraries.
‘‘Keep an eye on the libraries’ website for the dates,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘The first article in the first issue promised to ‘become like a marae on paper . . .’’ Carolyn Robertson Christchurch City Council head of libraries and information