Pou-Rewa 2022-23
THE MAST OF INNOVATION, THE KEEL OF TRADITION
Building Mātauranga Māori Capability in Ngā Toi Māori Artists through the Whare Tapere
He Pou-rewa-nui, he Takere-ngoto-roa.
A mast reaching high, a keel reaching deep
‘Pou-Rewa: The Mast of Innovation, The Keel of Tradition’ is a new programme designed by Dr Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal (Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāpuhi) to nurture and build mātauranga Māori capability in Ngā Toi Māori Artists. The programme responds to the widespread desire and interest on the part of Ngā Toi Māori artists regarding quality instruction and advice in mātauranga Māori. These are artists and creatives working in mātauranga Māori artforms (such as whakairo, raranga, tāniko, kōwhaiwhai, kōrero and haka) as well as Māori artists working in non-Māori artforms seeking to bring mātauranga Māori into their creativity.
The programme responds to the following questions:
What is mātauranga Māori?
What is the significance or value of Mātauranga Māori?
What is its approach to creativity and innovation?
What examples of mātauranga Māori creativity and innovation currently exist, particularly in the arts?
How can my creative and artistic practice be improved and strengthened through mātauranga Māori?
The programme also provides an overview of the modern whare tapere as an example of mātauranga Māori creativity today. The programme is delivered primarily online and supported by a limited number of hui wānanga. It is divided into six parts and offers an introduction to the following topics:
The Pou-Rewa programme
Mātauranga Māori
The Te Ao Mārama worldview
Mātauranga Māori Creativity
Whare Tapere
Creating Whare Tapere Today
The overall purpose of the programme is to nurture the confidence of Ngā Toi Māori artists to make use of mātauranga Māori in their creative practice. It does this by sharing knowledge with participants and providing them with practical opportunities to apply Mātauranga Māori in their work. Charles Royal explains the meaning of the ‘Pou Rewa’ symbol as follows:
As artists and creatives we are in love with finding new and inspiring ways of expressing ourselves. For many Māori artists this finds us knocking on the door of Mātauranga Māori for exciting and inspiring ideas can be found in the creativity of our forebears. However, as we draw on their legacies we wish to do so with confidence and knowledge. As we take greater risks - which creativity always asks of us - we wish to do so in an informed and empowered way. The higher up the mast of creativity and innovation that we wish to ascend, the deeper we need our keel to reach into the waters of our pre-existing knowledge, experience and identity. This is what is meant by ‘he pou rewa nui, he takere ngoto roa’.
RESOURCES
OVERVIEW BOOKLET
ŌROTOKARE HAKA AND WAIATA
HUI REPORT: ŌTĀKOU MARAE 18-20 NOVEMBER 2022
HUI REPORT: KŌKŌHUIA MARAE, 10-11 FEBRUARY 2023