Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NZ's leading specifically Maori dance company is the Atamira Dance Collective
(
www.atamiradance.co.nz
)
, which has been producing critically acclaimed, beautiful and
challenging work since 2000. If that sounds too earnest, another choreographer to watch
out for is Mika Torotoro, who happily blends
kapa haka
(cultural dance), drag, opera, bal-
let and disco into his work. You can check out clips of his work at
www.mika.co.nz
.
Maori Film-Making
Although there had already been successful Maori documentaries (
Patu!
and the
Tangata
Whenua
series are brilliant, and available from some urban video stores), it wasn't until
1987 that NZ had its first fiction feature-length movie by a Maori director with Barry
Barclay's
Ngati
. Mereta Mita was the first Maori woman to direct a fiction feature, with
Mauri
(1988). Both Mita and Barclay had highly political aims and ways of working,
which involved a lengthy pre-production phase, during which they would consult with and
seek direction from their
kaumatua
(elders). Films with significant Maori participation or
control include the harrowing
Once Were Warriors
and the uplifting
Whale Rider
. Oscar-
shortlisted Taika Waititi, of Te Whanau-a-Apanui descent, wrote and directed
Eagle vs
Shark
and
Boy
.
The New Zealand Film Archive (
www.filmarchive.org.nz
)
is a great place to experience
Maori film, with most showings being either free or relatively inexpensive. It has offices
in Auckland and Wellington.
For information on Maori arts today, check out Toi Maori
www.maoriart.org.nz
.
Maori Writing
There are many novels and collections of short stories by Maori writers, and personal taste
will govern your choices. How about approaching Maori writing regionally? Read Patricia
Grace
(Potiki, Cousins, Dogside Story, Tu)
around Wellington, and maybe Witi Ihimaera
(Pounamu, Pounamu, The Matriarch, Bulibasha, The Whale Rider)
on the North Island's
East Coast. Keri Hulme
(The Bone People, Stonefish)
and the South Island go together
like a mass of whitebait bound in a frying pan by a single egg (ie very well). Read Alan
Duff
(Once Were Warriors)
anywhere, but only if you want to be saddened, even
shocked. Definitely take James George
(Hummingbird, Ocean Roads)
with you to Auck-
land's West Coast beaches and Northland's Ninety Mile Beach. Paula Morris
(Queen of
Beauty, Hibiscus Coast, Trendy but Casual)
and Kelly Ana Morey
(Bloom, Grace Is
Gone)
- hmm, Auckland and beyond? If poetry appeals you can't go past the giant of
