A History of Change

All images abve from 'Rangitiratanga' at TheNewDowse, Lower Hutt. April 2009 Ajr

I visited TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt yesterday, to see firsthand, the stunning exhibition Plastic Maori that I wrote about here a week or so ago. I was delighted to discover they are also running another ongoing Maori exhibition, “Rangatiratanga,” which considers the changing face of Maori history. It features the pataka whakairo (carved storehouse), Nukutewhatewha, which was built as part of a political initiative in the 1850s. I read on the gallery’s website that “it was commissioned by paramount chief, Wi Tako Ngatata as a symbol of support for the Kingitanga movement and is one of seven pataka built around the North Island as “Pillars of the Kingdom.” It is a tohu (symbol) of the change that characterizes Maori history and is exhibited in conjunction with a series of big modern banners and profiles of 21st Maori social leaders, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs…...

"Nukutewhatewha - detail,' Neil Pardington. April 2009 Ajr

...........and nearby, you can see the latest work in the gallery’s Hit the Wall series – a project that showcases the work of New Zealand and international graphic designers. The work shown here is ‘Nukutewhatewha’ by Neil Pardington (Ngai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Kati WaeWae), who is creative director of the award-winning Wellington design company, Base Two. www.newdowse.org.nz www.basetwo.co.nz