Challenge your thinking on culture and sustainability

Some of New Zealand’s leading cultural experts, academics and performers are part of an impressive line up for a three day symposium on cultural and environmental sustainability hosted by Waitakere City Council next week.

On the evenings of July 14, 15 and 16 the council hosts Nga Korero Tataki (Leadership Conversations) – New Thinking for Old Leadership, the series aimed at examining how traditional knowledge fits alongside modern Maori thinking to enable people to live more sustainably.

“This is one of the keynote events of this year’s Matariki festival and we’re really excited by the calibre of speakers we have lined up,” says event organiser and the council’s Maori relationships officer, Rewi Spraggon.

He says while presented from a Maori perspective the central issue of sustainability is something all New Zealanders can relate to.

“How does traditional thinking fit in to the modern world, how the Treaty impacts on our aspirations as a culture and what we have to do to make a change is something we have a stake in," says Mr Spraggon, who is also spokesman for the region’s Matariki Festival 09.

“We hope people will be challenged to think outside the square and leave wanting to provide a new style of leadership to their own communities,” he says.

The series is being facilitated by Shane Taurima, the presenter of TVNZ show Marae.

Believed to be the first event of its type held in Auckland, the symposium will have a different focus each night.

July 14
He Oranga Kauneke (Living that progresses growth)
Living with change we want to occur. Speakers include Bobby Newson of the Families Commission on urban drift and Maori TV presenter Riki Bennett on health and traditional herbal medicines.

July 15
Te Ao Me Te Ao (The Maori world and the world)
Is sustaining culture the same as culture enabling people to live more sustainably? Speakers include Aroha Mead, a senior lecturer at Victoria University, cultural performer and interactive entertainment producer Kingi Gilbert and actor/director Te Arepa Kahi.

July 16
Nga Aka o Te Tiriti (The Roots of the Treaty)
Is the Treaty of Waitangi a foundation, a mill stone or a launch pad towards sustainability in Waitakere, New Zealand and the world? Lawyer Tama Potaka and Judge Carrie Wainwright of the Maori Land Court among those speaking.

There will also be performance throughout the series from the soulful Whirimako Black and Andrea Tunks.

This symposium, sponsored by New Zealand Post, follows last year’s successful WICI (Waitakere Inform Challenge and Inspire) series which looked at the challenges of the future and encouraging the community to be the architects of change.

What: Nga Korero Tataki (Leadership Conversations) – New Thinking for Old Leadership

When: 7.00pm, July 14, 15 and 16.
Where: Waitakere City Council chambers, 6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson. Entry by gold coin koha.

This event is part of the Matariki Festival 09, celebrating Maori New Year with a range of events and activities across Tamaki Makaurau. Proudly supported by New Zealand Post. Go to www.matarikifestival.org.nz for more information.

ENDS

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