Sir Howard Morrison honoured by Creative NZ

Media release

Date: Wednesday 19 September 2007

Sir Howard Morrison honoured by Creative New Zealand

Sir Howard Morrison has received many accolades in his career as an entertainer and on Sunday 23 September at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua, Creative New Zealand will add one more.

The Māori Board of Creative New Zealand, Te Waka Toi, will present Sir Howard with Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi, the premiere Te Waka Toi Award for Māori artists who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to their art and who are leaders in their field.

“It is with great pleasure that Te Waka Toi is able to honour Sir Howard Morrison with Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi”, explains the chair of Te Waka Toi, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotukua.

“Throughout his career he has exemplified the very best of Māori entertainment. In 1981, he released Whakaaria Mai as a single which spent five weeks at number one on the national charts and remained in the charts for over six months. Over the last four decades, he has offered a unique Māori voice to the world, not just in music and entertainment, but also in charities and community initiatives. He has captured the hearts of New Zealanders and earned his place as a national icon. By honouring him, Te Waka Toi also recognizes the sublime vocal artistry of his mother Kahu, and the rich creative haka contribution of his late sister, Atareta.”

Since the beginning of his professional career in 1960 with the Howard Morrison Quartet, Sir Howard Morrison has enjoyed a varied career as entertainer, cultural ambassador and social advocate. In recognition of his work he became a distinguished member of the Order of the British Empire 1976 and in 1990 was knighted in reconition of both his talent, and his services to his country, his people and the entertainment industry. Sir Howard Morrison will be presented with his Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi award in Rotorua on September 23 2007.

ENDS

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