For Immediate RELEASE

Media release - new marae opening

To celebrate the opening of their new building on the Russell Kororareka waterfront, the Kororareka Marae Society will be holding an open weekend from 3.00 – till late on Friday 11th and from 1000-1800 on Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th December 2009.

To mark this occasion a special exhibition, Te Timatanga: The Beginning, will feature a range of artists including Clive Arlidge, Theresa Reihana, Rua Pick, Faith McManus, David Sarich, Dorothy Waetford and Catherine Schuster. “Kororareka is unique and special to all of us that live here and who relate to this special place. Our marae kaupapa is to encourage all who are interested in the Maori world to get involved. For this exhibition, we have invited artists who are Maori or who have a Maori content in their work. We are excited by the quality of work already submitted” commented Marae chair Colwyn Shortland

Sale of the artworks will help raise funds for Kororareka Marae programmes. Te Timatanga will be shown until the end of January

Alongside this, another exhibition on loan from Russell Museum will tell the story of the Kororareka Marae Society’s 20-year journey to build a multi-tribal Marae in the community of Russell Kororareka.

The retail premises within the building will offer a range of cultural products, specifically sourcing items from artists that have a cultural and Maori focus. Tohunga Whakairo Mel Manu from Taranaki has learnt and mastered many varied aspects of carving. In recognition of the many different techniques from around Aotearoa, a number of his pieces will be on display.

The goal is to source and encourage other carvers and artists to showcase their work at our Russell waterfront premises.

“Unlike other traditional marae this building lends itself more to a working operational building not suitable to accommodate people for overnight stays. It will provide great opportunities for cultural tourism as well as a wananga for Maori learning and development.” Chair Colwyn Shortland stated. “We also see this as a satellite linking with our neighbouring people of Tai Tokerau to support and enhance their tourism aspirations.

Everyone is most welcome to come along and experience this first exhibition and celebrate this new venture and there is a proverb that expresses our presence

Te Au Hononga Tai

Te Au Hononga Iwi

The currents that bind tides

The currents that bind people”

ENDS

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