Visiting Niuean heritage artists to share their skills

Visiting Niuean heritage artists to share their skills in New Zealand

Six Niuean artists will visit New Zealand this month as part of Creative New Zealand’s cultural and artistic exchange programme, to share their knowledge of heritage arts and celebrate the close ties between the people of Niue and New Zealand.

The visit coincides with Niue Language Week (13-19 October) and the 40th anniversary of Niue Constitution Day (19 October).

The artists will participate in a free public programme of workshops, demonstrations and talks at Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Fresh Gallery Otara. They will also take a tour of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and meet with local Māori and Pacific artists to exchange cultural knowledge and artistic practice.

The week-long programme begins on Thursday 16 October at Fresh Gallery Otara with a special day of exchanging knowledge and skills between the visiting artists and local community groups and artists.

“This exchange recognises and celebrates the long and special relationship between Niue and New Zealand,” says Senior Manager at Creative New Zealand Cath Cardiff. “We are grateful for the support of the four leading venues that are helping to facilitate this programme as well as the Niue High Commission.”

“More Niuean people live in Aotearoa than in Niue, and nearly 80% of Niueans who live here are New Zealand-born. This emphasises how important it is for Creative New Zealand to support the preservation of Niuean heritage arts in this country.”

The visiting artists specialise in traditional Niuean weaving, carving and performing arts. They are:

• Hana Tauekipaoa, Enele Kaiuha and Lekei Palemia – master artists in the fine art of traditional Niuean weaving

• Ligimanogi Misikea – performing arts expert and weaver

• Tamatoa Tom Misikea – carver, composer and choreographer

• Steward Siakifilo – carver

Creative New Zealand would also like to acknowledge Tigilau Ness and Taha Fasi, who have been instrumental in making this exchange happen.

The visit is funded through Creative New Zealand’s Pacific cultural exchange programme. Previous exchanges include Tonga in 2013 and Samoa in 2012.

Public programme details and bio information on Niuean artists attached. Photos of the artists’ work available on request.

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