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Creative ID: 294

Art form(s): Community arts, Multi-disciplinary, Ngā Toi Māori
Language(s): English, Māori
Based in: Waikato
Where I'm available:
Waikato
Harataunga, Kennedy Bay, and Coromandel township where I have established a gallery and been operational for exactly a year to date. I have connections and building on establishing relationships with the school teachers at Coromandel Area School because this is where all our resources and the ngahere are to teach our tamariki.
When I'm available: Covid19, was a time to re evaluate re assess and take a step back to see how my small business could still continue. Education has always been a part of my progressive phase and will always continue to be so. I am available from Monday to Friday 10 am to 3 pm every day in my Gallery and if I am not here I am at the Marae involved in Whare Wananga and Whare Hunahuna. Saturdays is for the gallery and Sunday I would have a day off.

My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)

Kia ora, I specialise in Tukutuku, having completed many meeting houses under the tutelage of my parents. I am about utilising the natural resources of our whenua and combining the clay, semi-precious gems our kiekie, and our native timbers as well as other artists to come view and demonstrate in my Gallery which is based in Coromandel. I would love to combine my knowledge as well as integrate the great artists that I have been exposed to and live with to share their knowledge with our tamariki as well. It is time to honour the legacies of our people and in doing so help our tamariki understand who they are, where they come from, and what their purpose in life is. Mahi Toi, Tatai korero and Karakia can aid in developing a better understanding of self and prepare the child for the world. The elements of Māori symbolism can aid in defining this for all those who partake in our arts programme.

My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with

I have worked with Tohunga Whakairo and Tohunga Raranga. I have been part of teams who have completed such projects as Tane nui a Rangi, Auckland University, Harataunga Marae, Nga Kete Wananga and completed my own Marae, Ngahutoitoi in
Paeroa. Have a certificate in adult teaching, taught students under Te Ahi Kaa Training Establishment, have acquired a diploma in Māori Law and Philosophy and have completed two years of Law at Te Piringa Law Faculty, Waikato. I currently am self-employed and run a Māori, holistic Art Gallery in Coromandel and would like to combine my knowledge base as well as include other knowledge of arts practitioners in the areas of Mahi Toi, Tatai korero, and Karakia. I am particularly interested in redefining the constitutional arrangements of our nation by using our symbolism in our educational system.

Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes

I have been a coordinator and organiser of Whare Wananga. I bring people together to share their experiences. I believe that children are also teachers in their own right and can be exceptional when striving for excellence in the Arts. The Arts has been a way of life for me because I understand that Whakairo is a Taonga Tuku Iho, that which is bequeathed to us through our genetic link and make-up. This defines who we are as Tangata. I stand by the philosophical teachings of my parents, " He Toi Whakairo, He Mana Tangata, Where there is Artistic excellence, there is Human Dignity." So imperative for our youth to understand their universal symbols and would like to further develop these skills to complete an educational resource based upon the elements of Māori symbolism.

Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice

Life is Art it is a living realism of yesterdays never forgotten. It is exciting to be able to continue the legacy of my parents and pass down this knowledge to our tamariki, Māori and non-Māori, because this defines for me who I am and it helped me in my life to overcome obstacles that were challenging for me. I know I can help others including tamariki, to achieve their goals through the Arts, because I am that work in progress. I am also a recovering addict who has lived a life of experience that can weave a tapestry of inter-connectedness to aid in further developing and increasing a child's potential. I understand how imperative the Arts has been in my life and upbringing and would like to continue passing on this intrinsic knowledge to others in order to help them achieve their full potential.

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