Waka brings Maori art to Californians

A waka will paddle through unfamiliar waters under the Golden Gate Bridge today on its way to meeting the native Ohlone people of San Francisco, marking the start of a Maori art exhibition in the city.

The waka has made the trip from its home in Waitangi to mark the opening of Toi Maori: Art from the Maori People of New Zealand, an exhibition showcasing the best of Maori art - weaving, ceramics and even ta moko (tattooing).

A powhiri was held yesterday in front of the San Francisco exhibition venue for the 22 Maori artists who have made the trip to the city, accompanied by dignitaries including the Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu. She will present a cloak today to Aaron Pescin, president of San Francisco's board of supervisors (city council).

The creative director of the 170-piece exhibition, Darcy Nicholas, of Nga Iwi o Tauranga Moana and Taranaki whanui, had earlier watched the waka Te Ika a Maui practising under the Golden Gate Bridge and said it promised to be a great spectacle today, particularly when a haka started on board.

One San Francisco man he had been talking to at the practice had been so taken by the haka he was planning on taking his family to the dawn ceremony and the exhibition.

Mr Nicholas said about 170 works would be on display and moko artists would work live on people.

Tourism New Zealand has spent $1.5 million preparing for the exhibition, which will run in the Yerba Buena Centre in the central city for about 10 days, before moving on to other sites in the United States.

Local artist L. Frank, who has facial tattoos resembling a moko, said the demonstration of ta moko should help Americans see facial tattoos in a more positive light.

"If they see these other people with their facial tattoos then it won't be so odd - these tattoos are an integral part of our culture."

Frank, of the Tongva tribe of Los Angeles, predicted many San Francisco people would drag themselves out of bed to see the waka.

She said the native San Francisco Ohlone tribe and her own had much in common with Maori and would be looking to Maori to help fill in some gaps in their own heritage.

- NZPA