KANOHI ORA - The Living Face Panel Discussion - JULY 25th - 6:00pm
The evening will begin at 6:00pm on Thursday, 22nd July at Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.
Step into the rich tapestry of indigenous history and heritage with our panel discussion. This enlightening event delves into the profound connections forged through oceanic voyages and population movements, celebrating art as a powerful medium that bridges our past, present, and future.
We invite you to join us for an immersive experience featuring esteemed academics and thought leaders. Chair Kararaina Te Ira, alongside distinguished panelists Dr. Huhana Smith, Dr. Pauline Reynolds, and Te Māreikura, will share their invaluable insights on the pivotal role of art in narrating the journey of wayfinding and migration across the Pacific.
Explore the rich tradition of whakapapa—ancestral stories passed down through generations—and discover how these narratives are vividly captured in contemporary art, preserving our cultural legacy for future generations. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with visionary minds and celebrate the enduring spirit of our shared heritage.
Chair: Kararaina Te Ira
He uri a Kararaina o ngā tūpuna mai ngā waka ō Tainui, Te Arawa, Kurahaupō, Mataatua, Takitimu me Tokomaru. Ko Waitahanui te ūkaipō. Ko Porokaeaea te ahikā. Wania atu te poi whakapapa ki Te Tau Ihu. Ka rere tītaha ki ngā pikitanga o Maungaharuru ki Tangitū Moana, Ko Tangoio te papakainga.
Te Ira is a trained curator and conservator who has worked on many preservation and interpretation projects located in motu throughout Te Tai o Rehua, Te Moana Nui a Kiwi and Europe.
Dr. Pauline Reynolds
Dr Pauline Reynolds, is a Norfolk Islander of Pitcairn, and Mā'ohi descent. A Pacific scholar and tapa maker, she is best known for her work with museum collections and curatorial teams around the world, and for making replications of Tahitian and Pitcairn barkcloth clothing from the 1700s and 1800s.
Dr. Huhana Smith
Smith (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Tukorehe) is a visual artist, curator and researcher who engages in major environmental, trans-disciplinary, kaupapa Māori and action-research projects.
Dr Huhana Smith works with her teams across College of Creative Arts across transdisciplinary spaces, discourses and realities by drawing contemporary art and design together, with mātauranga Māori, sciences and communities. For the complex environmental projects she leads or co-leads, she creates innovative approaches and outcomes, particularly with exhibitions as research techniques.
Te Māreikura Whakataka-Brightwell
Photographer and artist who created KANOHI ORA - The Living Face. Hails from Tahitian and Māori descent and is a passionate advocate for indigenous advancement.
For over twenty years, Te Māreikura has excelled in ‘Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) joining the esteemed dance troupe O Tahiti E in 2016 under the tutelage of Marguerite Lai. He is also an accomplished portrait photographer and holds a degree in Māori Culture, Language, and Political Science.
Guest appearance by dancer Hitira'a Mahana Tahau-Hodges!
Hitira’a has been dancing since she was six and began pursuing it seriously in 2017. She has competed in various ‘Ori Tahiti competitions and will showcase her dancing beauty on the Panel night!