15 February 2022
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival
Enquiry
Reporter had the following questions for a preview on the Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival events:
- What events are still going ahead that people can check out and support?
- Why do you encourage people to go along/why will these be great, interesting events for the public?
- How does it feel to be able to go ahead with these events, despite the difficulties of current restrictions?
- Has planning begun for Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival 2022? Are there any details/events your able to share?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
- Is there a photo or two we would be able to include with the story?
Response
The following information was provided:
What events are still going ahead that people can check out and support?
Award winning Māori writer, Whiti Hereaka (Te Arawa/ Ngāti Whakaue): Writer's talk is happening at Mcleods from 6PM on Tuesday March 1. Whiti talks about her recent projects, including her book 'Kurangaituku', where she brings to life a story inspired by one of her tūpuna, the great bird woman. Tickets are $10 and are availble for purchase via ticketmaster.
More info about the event here --> https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2022/maori-writers-korero-whiti-hereaka/rotorua
Why do you encourage people to go along/why will these be great, interesting events for the public?
ARONUI has strived to create a platform for Māori/ Indigenous artists since its inception in 2019. Despite the struggles faced with Covid, ARONUI has managed to contribute to the dellivery of exhibitions, in-person events like 'ARONUI lockdown soul session LIVE' at Te Puia and also the large mural painted by Mr. G of the late Merata Mita, completed in October 2021. Although this offering is a revised version, it has been designed to deliver arts to the community in a safe and accessible way, within the governments Covid-19 framework. It's important to support our artists to deliver their works, and create opportunity for people to come out and be inspired by art, to combat the turmoil of the times.
How does it feel to be able to go ahead with these events, despite the difficulties of current restrictions?
It feels wonderful. ARONUI Trust has a solid red-alert delivery plan in place, in order to ensure the safety of our audience is paramount. Covid has been catastrophic to our community nation wide, and the team have worked hard to ensure that these stories still make it to the people, even if it means significantly reduced audience numbers.
Has planning begun for Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival 2022? Are there any details/events your able to share?
We are currently planning for ARONUI 4.0, watch this space!
Is there anything you would like to add?
Thank you to the Rotorua and wider community for the ongoing belief and support of ARONUI and it's artists. Please buy a ticket and come along to share in these inspiring stories.