On Longing

'Kotahitanga' Carved mdf board and chain links. 2007

Kotahitanga

To gain true Independence we must realize that we are all dependant on each other.

Government policies try to make us all individuals so we are always reliant on them. They segregate us and try to put us in rectangle boxes. When you are inside the box, they know that they have better control of you. However there are many throughout the land that get out of the box. They are the ones that find unity with others. Who express themselves for what they believe in. They are leaders, they are Maaori and Pakeha of New Zealand with a understanding of unity. These people are what government calls terrorists.

These contemporary poupou represent the unity of Maaori and Paakeha. Maaori are represented in the whakarei (design) patterns and the materials used (mdf and brass links) represent the modern world of the Paakeha. Standing together there is an aesthetic wow. The government are represented with the rectangular box shapes.

Feasibility study

Career Plans 3 yrs

2008 - study last yr Degree in Applied/Visual Arts at Te Tai Tokerau Wananga.

2009 - study last yr Degree in Iwi Development at Te Tai Tokerau Wananga
(program available in 2009) Te Pae Tahi

2010 - study last yr Degree in Whakairo at Te Tai Tokerau Wananga.
(program available in 2010)



Business plan 3 yrs (collective)

Within the next 3 yrs I have a vision of creating a Charitable Trust called Te Korowai Toi Ora (The cloak of living arts). The main focus is on Promoting Maoritanga (Things Maori), firstly to our own people on marae within the Te Tai Tokerau (the critics) and then to the eventually to the world.

People involved and skills to date

Jason Tepania is a Te reo Maori teacher and is the program facilitator for our Te reo Maori programs. He is a pou wha (stage 4) in Mau Rakau. 5yrs kapa haka, (Timatatanga roopu Whangarei). Song writer for Moteatea and Waiata. Dip in Te Pokairua Ngapuhi.


Rangi poa is very experienced in catering and has just graduated for her NZIM Dip in Accounting. Legalities researcher


Tane Matiu, NZIM smallbusiness, NZIM supervisory management, funding reasercher


Interested people

Nooere Allen is a Taa Moko artist currently doing monthly wananga with Te Rangitu Netana (who did Robbie williams) to promote Taa moko as an option for the upcoming youth.

Shane Whatarau is a experienced carver, has carved on many marae and has a Degree in Whakairo, teachers certificates also.

Outside help

Carol Bergham Business Facilitation service. Te Puni Kokiri also has mentoring programs.http://www.tpk.govt.nz/

Biznorth

Our Goals 1yr

- review our program with Te Puni Kokiri, funding options

- review our program and extend with new ideas.

- form the Trust

- networking with hapu

Personal Career Plan

Unlike other types of professions whakairo is a specialist profession. Its not like you can look up your local carver in the ph book. a carver needs to be carving for at least 10yrs to gain the experience and knowledge to not only know the diffrent cuts and designs that go into each peice but also the whakapapa and many karakia that goes with it. Another significate aspect is the spiritual language. This language comes from Io to our tupuna/ansestors and from our tupuna to the living vessels that are our living carvers of today.

Personal Qualities

• entrepreneurism
• focus
• determination
• curiosity
• inspiration
• integrity
• motivated
• passion
• resourcefulness
• spontaneous
• synergistic
• proactive
• honest
• trustworthy
• open minded
• persistent
• generous
• practical

Financial Resources

Deidre Crowe, National bank consultant, Whangarei. As my banking consultant Deidre has helped me secure a couple of loan applications that have funded my passion for carving. with these loans i have been able to further my art as a carver.