Inspired by Heritage

I first came upon the beautiful homeware range by Auckland-based Native Agent at Wellington's super-chic Ohtel on Oriental Parade. The Ohtel beds (see above) are covered in Native Agent throws - gorgeous things that reflect both Native Agent's and Ohtel's creative approach to interiors.

I've seen discovered a number of other Native Agent products, including these terrific cushions and I've got to say I think they're producing some of the most beautiful and innovative contemporary Maori products in New Zealand right now. The company was started in 2004 by Elam Art School graduate, Rona Ngahuia Osborne, her partner,Dan and his mother, Lindsay and they now have their headquarters in Kingsland in Auckland. If you click on their website, you can read the interesting family history that gives rise to the company name, Native Agent. But basically, a family ancestor was employed as a Native Agent at the turn of last century - a Native Agent being someone fluent in Maori, who was employed by the Crown to assist Maori in matters of the law. The work that Rona and her team now produce is very much influenced by the chief items of trade from that period - muskets, woollen blankets, hei tiki and feathers. Love it, love it, love it! www.nativeagent.co.nz

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

Fashion Trends

Plastic tiki, Rotorua 2007 Ajr

I'm reluctant to label biculturalism trendy but it must be said that, in some quarters, there has been a sudden embracing of Maori cultural items as what I like to call 'contemporary design currency.' The traditional hei tiki for instance, is suddenly de rigeur in modern New Zealand homes as some sort of interior design statement. Naturally many people do this with good intentions; others as a result of some frenzied, rather manic rush to establish New Zealand's identity (as they see it) - as if we didn't have one already! Warning warning...soap box soap box! I suppose it's a good thing that people have become more aware and, dare I say it, more comfortable with traditional Maori design and motifs, but we should err on the side of caution so as not to undermine them as significant items of cultural and historical importance.