Pou Unveiling - Cameron Cres
I have the honour of being involved with Te Pātukituki o Wairarapa who are doing inspiring and important work in our community, which encompasses a lot and is hard to sum up. Part of what drew me to the organisation was the way they are helping to restore Māori culture in the region and helping us to move through our post-colonial culture into something new, and operating with such openness and love. Probably something for another blog post. You can read a bit about the organisation below amongst the photos and check out our Facebook page for more.
I was stoked to be able to document the unveiling of these beautiful pou (pillars) in Cameron Cres, carved by Te Pātukituku members Wayne Pitau, Francis McNally-Te Maari, and Trevor Simmonds. They form the entrance to a park area which backs on to the new Colombo Road netball courts and this spot is being slowly transformed into a space for reflection for the community to enjoy. This project is the result of a partnership between the Council and Eastside Community Group, with many community members (as well as Te Pātukituku) having a hand in seeing it come to fruition.
It was a beautiful still morning, and there was a peace in the air as people stepped forward to touch and “take” in the pou. These moments were very moving and I tried my best to capture these in the black and white photos below.
Te Patukituki o Wairarapa is a gallery workshop that promotes and invigorates Toi Maori as a local practice. We provide a cultural heartbeat that contributes to the regional narrative of community wellbeing, telling our own local purakau-stories. We provide a gallery and workshop in the Arts Quarter-Masterton, community and school workshops, transitional education, professional development and consultancy. Our local experts specialise in Rongoa, Kowhaiwhai, Raranga, Tikanga Maori and Whakaiiro.
All users of Te Pa have the option to enjoy the benefits of membership to the society. A platform that supports trade for local Toi Māori artists and for visitors to experience an authentic Māori experience. We operate from local funding, energy exchanges like koha, community volunteers, resident artists, events, workshops, commisioned work, and contracts for the programs we run.
Our community keep in touch with what’s on via our Te Patukituki Facebook page, where you can find and register for our events and workshops.
Nau mai haere mai hai whitiwhiti kōrero!
Above: Hasselblad 500cm / Kodak Portra 400 / dev+scan by The Black and White Box
Below: Minolta XE-1 / Kodak Tri-X 400 / developed at home + scans by The Black and White Box
Click on photos to expand.
