Lighting the spark 

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini
My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, it was not individual success but the success of a collective

For this story, we asked the Creative Waikato team to share about one of the people who have influenced us on our creative journey. For every one of us, there have been many special people who have shaped and guided us- whānau, teachers, mentors, friends and colleagues. This story is a celebration of some of these people. 

We know that community is key to creativity and wellbeing, and so we challenge you to take a moment to reflect on who those special people might be for you, and maybe even let them know in whatever way feels best. 

Jeremy
It is interesting to think about the impacts that people have had on your journey and the way it makes you think and understand the world around you. There are so many different options from family members, music teachers, mentors, collaborators and more, all of whom are important, but the one that comes to mind now is Richard Nunns.

Richard was a musician, researcher, explorer, and educator mostly known for his work with taonga puoro alongside Hirini Melbourne and Brian Flintoff. He was a playful, humorous and generous creative spirit who was committed to doing things deeply and purposefully, but also holding things lightly. His contributions to NZ music are quite profound, but he was also always curious, saying yes to things, exploring new collaborations and connections, and encouraged people to listen. 

My time with Richard was always inspiring. Exploring new ideas, creating music and making connections. He had a comic and philosophical nature that was fearless and open minded. This is an inspiration. It was through working with Richard that another longstanding creative collaboration was formed that still stands today. His influence on my creative outlook is long lasting. 

Scott
I had a teacher in primary school who would, every day after lunch, read us a chapter from a book. And one book in particular got wedged right there in my brain, may just have unlocked the creative juices part of my mind.

Mr Tinkler, you likely have no idea about the influence you had on future me, but for those few weeks, many years ago, reading The NeverEnding Story to the Standard 3 class at Fairfield Primary School changed a life. 

Until that time I was going to be a professional football player or an astronaut but once you shared Atreyu’s desperate journey through the Swamp of Sadness – well that sparked an alternative path.

I’ve been fortunate to have had mentors, collaborators, and creative influences over the years that have supported and facilitated some wonderful creative adventures. I’m forever grateful for the generosity of those folks. 

But the unedited reading aloud of Artax’s demise, amongst the smell of damp jerseys warming on the classroom radiator, well that jumpstarted a whole different level of imagination. And perhaps made me want to start writing too.

Alexis
It’s hard for me to think about this and not be transported right back to the beginning. Mum and Dad.

Dad was in (I imagine) many bands throughout his life. Tinkering on the guitar, playing a little bit of everything. All self-taught and all by ear. Mum – well, she was and still is the master of the spoons (if you come from a rural area, you know the different ways we make instruments!).

One of the best things I learnt from both of them is to give things a go. We would have rice in empty cans as maracas or the pots and pans out with wooden spoons as drumsticks. Or one of my faves, a trumpet made out of a beer bottle and gladwrap. All of this built a curiosity and the ability to also tinker. Even now – I still pick up my guitar and will occasionally play something that would have been strummed to me as a kid. Or when buying new cutlery – need to make sure that the spoons make the perfect sound. 

Des
One of the biggest influences for me growing up in Tokoroa was Leafā Wilson.  I was a creative child, but very shy.  Both of our families grew up in church and she would play guitar in our choir. It was such a joy to sing as a congregation and see her up the front, a woman that looked like me.

It was her visual art, however, that really captured my attention.  Seeing yourself in someone’s art, whether this was through our shared culture or her powerful femininity, is deeply moving and reaffirming.  I was fortunate enough to have her as one of my supervisors during my honours study at Wintec, a full circle moment for me. She helped me to articulate the connection I was seeking to make through my work, because she understood my story.

I have a piece of her art on a wall by my bed, it sits amongst other precious art pieces.  If I’m feeling a little sad or under the weather, I look at it for comfort, reassurance, strength, peace.  How can you begin to describe someone who has been a beacon for you to be able to become your true self, Leafā has definitely been that for me.

Hannah
When I think about the many creative influences in my life, I’m filled with many memories and gratitude for various people I have met along my theatre journey. From high school drama teachers, fellow cast members, singing mentors and directors all have helped shape my creativity and worldviews into what they are today. However my one constant, stand out creative influence throughout my whole life would be my Mum, the ultimate creative. 

Growing up, it felt like any form of creativity was available at my fingertips. Most people know my mum instantly from her beautiful voice and background of an opera singer in her own right, music was a constant in our house growing up. However the other creative side to her was her love of the visual arts too, anything you may have needed related to arts and crafts she had it stored away in her home ‘office’ which may have housed the family computer but really it was a mini treasure trove of an arts studio in the making… Scrapbooking supplies, beautiful paper, yarn, sewing materials, clays, paints both ranging from water to acrylic.

Evelyn
Along my creative journey into circus arts there have been a number of artists that I have admired, and been influenced by who have shifted my circus journey. But I think there’s one teacher I look back on who helped me to discover that I do in fact, love performing – beyond the high of doing the intense physical exercise that is aerial circus. Growing up, I had always been described as shy by people around me, so I had somewhat put myself in a box of people who wouldn’t be into something like that and that I couldn’t possibly be into something like performing.

But this teacher – Bana –  guided me and a few other students in class towards it. It began as making some sequences on the aerial silks in pairs. And then joining the pairs together to share those sequences with each other… and then next thing you know, we had choreographed a routine, chosen some music and Bana suggested that we all perform together in the next upcoming student showcase. Bana supported us to get there, helping us all to feel safe and that we absolutely belonged on the stage. It was also permission I didn’t even know I was missing until I was there.

Since then, I’ve actually noticed that in fact, many performers are quiet, reserved or “shy” so I think it’s probably a common feeling held amongst performing artists. And the stage is perhaps a common place performing artists feel safe to be who they are. But without the guidance of that one encouraging teacher who has no doubt about your abilities, you may never discover that this is in fact a place for you too.

Aimee
One of my biggest influences in my creativity has been my Nanny, Rosemarie Anderson. Growing up, her house was a place where me and my sister were allowed and encouraged to make a biiiig mess. She was thrifty as, and would pick up bits and bobs from op shops and swaps, and very little was out of bounds to us girls (except using the sewing scissors on paper!). She taught us how to sew, how to follow a pattern, how to mix paints, and we would bead and draw and make papier-mâché and all sorts. Her house always smelt like glue and paint and lavender and chicken noodles. She would encourage us to try new things, and growl us if we got too precious with it. She was warm and also real straight up. I’ve always been grateful she found her way to creativity and passed it on down to my mum, and through to us girls. It’s been a real gift. I inherited a wooden sculpture of a pair of hands when she passed a few years ago, and it lives in my creative space at home. I sometimes find myself watching my hands and thinking of her and her hands when I work.  

Kereama
One of the most influential people in my life regarding toi Māori was Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan. She helped me widen my world view on so many aspects of life while influencing me through mahi toi.

She introduced me to making Tāonga Pūoro, creating kākahu with designs and carving hue.

She didn’t only influence me with toi Māori, but through life itself. The trials and tribulations that life brings.

1 thing that resounds to me of her many teachings is, it is a skill to tell someone off and make them feel good at the same time. I adopted that teaching in my own teaching experiences.

She introduced me to the International Treaty Council in 1999-2000 and their members from around the world. To show me other indigenous people of the world and the trials and tribulations that they have had to endure. Using the spoken word and performance to describe the journey people have gone through, while maintaining their integrity. Utilising toi to celebrate Toi Māori.

‘Once you stood like a totara tree, gently swaying in the breeze’

I do miss her and her cheeky laughs, and her telling me off haha.
I love you Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan 1947 – 2023

Written by: The Creative Waikato Team