1972 Drama Documentary To Screen At Maori Art Market

One of New Zealand’s first dramatised documentaries “War in the North”, made in 1972, will screen at the MAORI ART MARKet for an hour from 3.30pm tomorrow.

Documentary film-maker Peter Coates said he had difficulty sourcing Maori actors who were prepared to play the leading figures in the 1845 wars at Russell, Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka because they were not directly descended from the chiefs they were to depict.

This meant he had to draft in members of the families to play their relatives. However, two of his “stars” were the then young actors Don Selwyn and Selwyn Muru. As a descendant of Hone Heke Muru ended up in this role.

Coates work is being celebrated at the MAORI ART MARKet being held at Te Rauparaha Arena and Pataka Museum over this weekend where more than 200 contemporary Maori artists are exhibiting and selling artwork including paintings, carving, claywork, weaving. The show also features Rex Morgan using contemporary ingredients to replicate the smell and tastes of hangi, a fashion parade story-telling and Ta Moko (traditional tattoo).

The event is attracting rugby world cup tourists to Porirua City ahead of the quarter finals with many tourists wanting genuine Maori-made items to take home to remind them of their trip to New Zealand.


ABOUT MAORI ART MARKet 2011
The biggest ever showing of contemporary Maori art from more than 200 Maori painters, clay and glass workers, carvers, jewellers, ta moko, musicians, story-tellers and film-makers goes on display at the biennial MAORI ART MARKet at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua City from October 6-9.

As part of the REAL New Zealand Festival running alongside the Rugby World Cup, an influx of tens of thousands of international rugby tourists is expected during the event, which will provide an opportunity to showcase Maori culture through contemporary Maori art, and enable visitors to talk to the artists and buy affordable and genuine Maori items to take home as mementos.

Invited artists include Bunmei Okabe from Japan, Dan Namingha from USA, Danny Eastwood from Australia, Grahame Sydney from Otago, Filipe Tohi a New Zealand Tongan, Fatu Feu’u a New Zealand Samoan, and Peter Coates a documentary-maker. Leading contemporary Maori artists Beverly Rhodes, Maria Brockhill, Barry Te Whatu, Norm Heke, Regan Balzer and Tanu Aumua.

Only 20 minutes from downtown Wellington with plenty of parking. Catch the Airport Flyer bus or go by suburban train. Doors open from 9.30am each day. Adults $10. Children U18 and Kaumatua $5. Daily family passes $25. A rare chance to meet and talk to 200 contemporary Maori.

For full list of artists please follow this link Artists

www.maoriartmarket.com

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