Māori art offered international platform in Hundertwasser project

Whangarei has been given the exciting opportunity to establish a unique Māori art gallery and education centre.

Residents and ratepayers are being asked to vote on the future of their former Harbour Board building. Prominent Maori artists and scholars are asking Whangarei to consider the Hundertwasser Wairau Māori Art Centre (HWMAC) option, which includes an art gallery and education centre for Māori art and artists.

A spectacular building, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser specifically for the site, will feature a gallery of Hundertwasser’s works, state‑of‑the‑art exhibition spaces and, in line with Hundertwasser’s legacies and philosophy, the sole, curated gallery in New Zealand dedicated to Māori fine art.

Whangarei’s Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre

“The Hundertwasser Wairau Māori Art Centre represents the coming together of European and Maori cultures in New Zealand and the influences they have had on each other,” says Elizabeth Ellis, Chairwoman of the Maori Advisory Panel.

“The word will spread that Whangarei is the place to go for culture – it’s about Hundertwasser, it’s about European art and it’s about Maori art.”

The Maori art gallery concept is led by a Māori Advisory Panel made up of seven Ngapuhi artists who are experts in their field. This group has gained the support of Māoridom in Whangarei District and of the Hihiaua Culture Centre Trust.

“HWMAC will complement the proposed Hihiaua Māori Culture Centre planned for the other end of the Town Basin, which will be a site for Māori culture, development and training”, says Elizabeth Ellis.

“Hihiaua will be looking after the development needs of Māori artists while we see the art gallery as providing role models, showcasing the best Māori artists there are in the world,” she says.

“The Hundertwasser and Wairau Māori Arts Centre will provide Māori throughout Aotearoa with a permanent place to view and experience the best of Maori Art. Imagine how exciting it will be to know that there is one place, Whangarei, where Maori artwork will always, permanently be able to be seen by the people of the world.”

The Wairau Māori Advisory Panel includes (Chair) Elizabeth Ellis (Ngpuhi, Ngti Porou), Dr Patu Hohepa (Ngpuhi, Te Mahurehure), Shane Cotton (Ngati Rangi, Ngati Hine, Te Uri Taniwha), Lisa Reihana (Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine, Ngai Tu), Allen Wihongi (Ngapuhi, Te Uri o Hua), Manos Nathan (Te Roroa, Ngati Whatua, Ngapuhi), Ngahiraka Mason (Ngai Tuhoe, Te Arawa, Ngati Pango) and Taipari Munro (Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau, Ngati Taka, Ngati Wai, Ngati Korora, Te Waiariki, Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Te Tawera).

The late Professor Jonathan Mane-Wheoki (Ngapuhi/Te Aupouri/Ngati Kuri) was a founding member of the Wairau Māori Advisory Panel and is sorely missed. Professor Mane-Wheoki also fronted a video introducing the history of the project (attached below).

“He had a strong affinity and empathy with the Māori way of life. This project will bring an iconic work of architecture to Whangarei which will be a magnet for cultural tourists.” Jonathan Mane-Wheoki. 

Voters are encouraged to learn about the options in the binding referendum and make an informed choice. More information about HMWAC is available online www.yeswhangarei.co.nz or in at the pop-up Hundertwasser HQ shop at 2 James Street, Whangarei.

The referendum is by postal ballot and officially started yesterday (14th May). The voting period ends midday 5th June.

ENDS

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP
Ngati Porou, Ngapuhi
Chair, Wairau Māori Advisory Panel
Mobile: 021 624 459
Email care of: yeswhangarei@gmail.com

Image: Dropbox containing images for web and print here.
Image credit: Steve Sharp

More information about the HWMAC project and referendum:
WDC webpage on referendum details here.
PNT-produced Referendum Fact Sheet here (pdf)
HWMAC backers Prosper Northland Trust website here.
Deloitte Feasibility Study on HWMAC pdf here.
WDC Referendum Brochure (comparing projects) here (pdf)
Hundertwasser project Facebook page here.
Colour Our City (Whangarei community artivisim in support of HWMAC) images here (Flickr)
The Story of the Hundertwasser project here.
Frequently Asked Questions here.

For any further information please email yeswhangarei@gmail.com