Māori carving forges NZ - China cultural bond
12 Jul 2010
History has been created with one of the largest pieces of Māori art being gifted to China by New Zealand Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key.
In an official ceremony outside New Zealand’s pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo on Friday (9.07.2010), Mr Key acknowledged his commitment to strengthening ties between New Zealand and China through the gifting of the giant kauri waharoa / gateway.
Created in the shape of a waka maumahara / ceremonial canoe, the carving incorporates intertwined Māori and Chinese designs.
The waharoa will stand 10m high and 3m wide when it is unveiled at the Baoshan Folk Art museum - a new cultural and teaching institution currently under construction in Shanghai - in September.
Waka taonga
The vast size of the waharoa meant a waka taonga / traditional carved box was handed to Baoshan Museum officials by Mr Key in place of the full-sized carving.
"The waharoa will be a visible and lasting symbol of the strengthening ties between New Zealand and China," Mr Key said.
"It will be used to promote tourism and the cultural experiences that Chinese visitors can expect when they come to New Zealand."
Kauri carving
The waharoa is carved from a 3,500-year-old piece of kauri tree that had been reclaimed from swamp land in Northland.
The ancient log began its journey to China in Doubtless Bay in New Zealand’s Far North, before being transported to Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts Centre, Rotorua, in February.
Te Puia carvers began working on the carving in Rotorua, but most of the art work has been completed in China - on-site at the New Zealand Pavilion - during the last two months.
Prime Minister Key and China’s Ambassador to New Zealand each carved a small piece of the waharoa before it left for China.
Unique Māori culture
The waharoa project was an opportunity to raise awareness of New Zealand as a tourism destination during Expo, according to Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler.
"Our unique Māori culture sets New Zealand apart from other destinations," Bowler said.
"Having the Te Puia carvers completing the waharoa on site, infusing both traditional Māori and Chinese values and customs into this project and the exchanges between the two countries, has captured the imagination of Expo visitors, media and the Chinese public."
Te Kakano - the seed
The waharoa project has been led by Te Puia Māori Ats & Crafts Centre and Tourism New Zealand. It was funded by New Zealand’s Cultural Diplomacy International Fund.
Known as ‘Te Kakano’ (the seed), the waharoa and its gifting to the Baoshan Museum represents the first in a series of projects aimed at creating ‘cultural portals’ between New Zealand and China, which will facilitate cultural and business exchanges.
Karl Johnstone, Te Puia acting chief executive, says cultural exchanges like the waharoa project can lay a strong foundation for business relationships in Asian markets, including China.
"Many Māori values and cultural beliefs are similar to those of the Chinese. The opportunity to share the rich traditions between our cultures is a great way to build an enduring partnership; relationships come first, and business follows from this platform," Johnstone said.
"The ‘Te Kakano’ project has laid this foundation for New Zealand businesses including the tourism industry, by creating a high profile cultural connection between the two countries from which business, marketing and relationship opportunities can evolve."
More than 1.6 million people have already been through the New Zealand pavilion at the Shanghai Expo. Up to seven million people are expected to go through before the expo finishes in October.
New Zealand’s parliamentary co-leader / Māori Affairs minister Pita Sharples will travel to China with a delegation of Māori business people in September, when the waharoa will be officially unveiled in its new home.
More information
New Zealand - Chinese links
NZ pavilion captivates Chinese visitors
Maori carving sets sail for China
Te Puia - Maori arts and crafts centre
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