Mehemea ka moemoeaa ahau, ko ahau anake
Mehemea ka moemoeaa taatou, ka taea e taatou
If I am to dream, I dream alone
If we all dream together, we shall achieve
Whakatauaakii/ Tongikura
Naa Princess Te Puea Herangi
Creative Waikato in collaboration with Hamilton City Council and Te Tari o te Kiingitanga are pleased to announce this new initiative – the Toi Maaori ki Kirikiriroa Waananga.
Over September 8th and 9th, Toi Maaori ki Kirikiriroa Waananga will create a space for ngaa toi Maaori to koorero, waananga and mahitahi. Held in Kirikiriroa, this celebration will include panel discussions on topics that weave across different toi practices, including opportunities for learning and capability development for teina artists, collaboration, connection and future visions for the tuakana. There will also be kai, sharing space, and whakawhanaungatanga.
This waananga is crafted around a kaupapa of creative partnership as a way to revitalise, reinvigorate, recalibrate, and reinforce the significant contribution Toi Maaori practitioners and ngaa mahi Toi make to communities of Kirikiriroa and beyond. It is a celebration of auahatanga and a space for ringatoi to connect with one another to share maatauranga. Through honoring ngaa mahi toi we can support artists, build connections, strengthen networks, and enhance community hauora and wellbeing through arts, culture and creativity.
There is a wealth of ngaa toi Maaori practitioners based in Kirikiriroa ranging from emerging creatives to some of Aotearoa’s most well-renowned ringatoi. Ngaa toi Maaori includes various artforms, traditional practices and contemporary techniques, all woven together through an understanding of tikanga and an embrace of te ao Maaori.
Registration is now open for artists and practitioners of all forms of ngaa mahi toi to take part in this two day celebration, and we look forward to welcoming ringatoi of all disciplines and experience levels.
If you have any questions about this kaupapa, please contact Kereama Clarke – Kaiwhakahaere i nga Mahi Toi / Regional Māori Arts Developer at Creative Waikato on kereama@creativewaikato.co.nz
We also acknowledge Te Tari o te Kiingitanga, Te Kaunihera o Kirikiriroa – Hamilton City Council, Wintec – Te Pukenga, and Te Whare Taonga o Waikato – Waikato Museum for their support of this kaupapa.
Registration is needed to confirm your place to attend the two day waananga.
Participants will have the opportunity to opt into either the Teina (emerging artist) or Tuakana (experienced artist) streams (Day 2).
There will be numerous opportunities to connect across streams throughout the two days, but there are some focussed learning sessions that are targeted with content and information.
Participants are encouraged to bring some of their own mahi toi to share as part of the event.
Registration cost $20 for the two day waananga and includes kai (lunch) both days.
Support is available to cover this cost for those who need it. We want to reduce barriers to access this space of connection and hauora. Please get in touch with kereama@creativewaikato.co.nz for more information.