Matariki Gourmet Hangi for Māori new year
11 Jun 2010
Matariki Gourmet Hangi 2010
Ngaruawahia, 27 June
Celebrated Kiwi chef Peter Gordon will be digging deep for Māori New Year this month by combining his Māori roots and fancy kai / food cooking skills at another gourmet hangi to celebrate Matariki.
For the second year in a row, the gourmet hangi will be held at Ngaruawahia’s Turangawaewae Marae, headquarters of the Māori King Movement and official residence of the reigning King Tukeita Paki.
The hangi will be followed by a concert featuring a who’s who of New Zealand music.
2010 gourmet event
Last year’s inaugural gourmet hangi was a major success, and again around 600 people have booked for the 2010 event on Sunday 27 June.
Peter Gordon is a descendant of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa in the lower North Island, and his modern twist on the traditional hangi has been well received by fellow New Zealanders - Māori and Pakeha / European.
He will lead a team of chefs and Turangawaewae Marae chief cooks in preparing the hangi food which includes spicy marinated chicken, stuffed pork belly cooked in banana leaves; pork loin topped with a red curry coconut paste and stuffed boned rolled legs of lamb.
"We like to take a fusion approach using local ingredients where we can be supported by a range of taste enhancements common in Māori cooking. I am sure guests will be very satisfied with what is both a tasty and a traditional indigenous menu," Gordon said.
VIPs and star performers
VIP guests will include King Tukeita and local dignitaries.
Some of New Zealand’s leading performers - including Hollie Smith, Anika Moa and Don McGlashan - will perform during the four-hour concert and feast. Comedian musicians - and film stars - The Topp Twins are to compere the event.
Other prominent musicians include indigenous Australian singer and songwriter Emma Donovan of the Gumbaynggirr nation, and Kiwis Anna Coddington, Erakah, Hinewehi Mohi with Joel Haines and Ben Tawhiti.
Music therapy
A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Auckland-based Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) set up by singer / songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, to go towards providing music therapy for young special needs children.
Mohi said the event provided a unique opportunity to showcase Māori culture in a contemporary style while respecting Māori traditions.
"Peter brings a global perspective to the traditional hangi and the music has a strong Māori influence too. Introducing modern interpretations demonstrates that Māori culture is continuously evolving," she said.
Cultural traditions
A special performance of karetao / traditional puppets by Dr Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal (Tainui), and taonga puoro / traditional instruments players with a contemporary mix of textures and sound effects by Paddy Free of Pitch Black also features on the programme.
New Zealand sculptor Brett Graham of Ngati Koroki Kahukura has designed the set and stage backdrop for the event. Graham has represented New Zealand at the Venice Biennale - a major contemporary art exhibition in Italy.
A gifting and planting ceremony of 50 native trees will take place at the marae prior to the event.
More information
Matariki events 2010
Matariki Māori New Year
Matariki comfort foods
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
