MANA Leader Hone Harawira

10th May 2012

Te Waka Toi: Mainstreaming or Backsliding

“Mainstreaming doesn’t work for Maori” said MANA leader Hone Harawira. “That’s why MANA is opposed to the bill* that will disestablish Te Waka Toi and set up a single arts council with four Māori reps instead”.

“Te Waka Toi wasn’t perfect – far from it – but they were never given the chance to really fly”.

“Like lots of Māori bodies set up by government, it was starved of the power, funding and influence that it needed to achieve what Māori wanted.”

“But mainstreaming isn’t the answer” said Harawira.

“Mainstreaming will hinder independent Maori artistic development rather than encourage it” said Harawira “and that problem will only be exacerbated by the fact that the four Maori reps to be on the new Arts Council won’t even be chosen by Maori”.

“MANA supports the commitment that Māori artists are making to building our own, independent Māori Arts Council.”

* Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill is having its second reading tonight.

ENDS

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