To Sir with love.
How does one encapsulate Space.
The Space of Creativity
The Creative Space within Te Aō Māori.
The Space where a Master stands before you gifting 3 hours but continues for 6 hours.
We witnessed one standing in Mana
We were gifted a legacy.
“A life-changing experience.”
Harold Helmbright
“I found inspiration and drive to continue my creative journey “
Maia Karetai 15 years old
“What a Taonga,absolutely wonderful
I’m ready now to tell our stories I hold.”
Ropata Stephens Kaumatua
From Powhiri to Poroporoake Ihaka Griffin stitched our whakapapa into our Whare Turangapeke.
Nuki Takao and Renee Kahukura Iosefa held our Mana Whenua tikanga
And Taan Corbett held our space at Te Maatu.
Hine Kere lead our Kaimahi.
Make no mistake Nga Po e Rewa Pū was a gathering of Maori Writers and an Uprising of our stories
Motueka is the heartland of Nelson Tenths we have stories to tell.
A small town that nurtured Ben Brown, Michael Bennett, Becky Aranga, Nuki Takao, Mat Tait, Stef Harris, Craig Willie Fransen, Renee Kahukura Iosefa, Hamish Bennett, published Writers, filmmakers creatives.
Where Witi graciously picked up the wero of tears and frustration from Renee, and Nuki and Becky Manawatu asking for mentorship.
And you came Sir, as did 30 Writers who whakapapa Maori, to Te Waipounamu, or live on the whenua.
Kaumatua and Rangatahi, established Writers, others looking for their words.
A first for many a gathering of Maori Writers.
Other workshops included writing in Te Reo Maori and writing stories of the Whenua, Iwi stories.
Two events were shared with our community.
A film evening with Hamish Bennett and Witi facilitated by Doug Brooks
Then a screening of Hamish’s film Uproar with 80 attending
Then our Gala Dinner catering for 120 with readings by Hui participants throughout the evening.
We all feel privileged, and blessed and inspired to have been in this Space
There are stories to tell of our whenua, people, and those whose footsteps we walk in.
There are films to make with our faces and voices.
There are poems and songs to write with our Māori heart and kaha
Nga Po e Rewa Pū an Uprising.
We are planning for next year.
Waatea FM News interview here with Donna MacLeod
