Some interesting QuickStats about Maori from the 2006 Census was sent our way which may be of interest to you. The breakdown of regional/territorial stuff has links on the back page which will definitely be of assistance to anyone intending on making contract applications. It was particularly encouraging to see that there has been a 30% increase in the Maori population over the last 15 years.

The vision and forethought of a Martinborough father and son has finally brought to light a Wairarapa treasure that survived 57 years hidden from public view among their woolshed rafters. Martinborough farmer James Martin, a direct descendent of the founding family of Martinborough, this month gifted to South Wairarapa iwi an "old friend" – a 3m partially carved totara poupou dating back to the late 1800s (Nathan Crombie, the Wairarapa Times Age).

The adzed carving had decorated the rafters of the family woolshed since his father Norman Martin found the relic in 1950 half buried in wet earth on a nearby property at Ponatahi, he said. Mr Martin said his father, who was honoured to be the first non-Maori in the region to be a Maori land trustee and custodian while not being an owner, sought advice about the carving from elders at Papawai Marae near Greytown.

Mr Martin senior was told the carving, which features two figures and at its foot perhaps the sign of the carver, was one of five similar works caught in floods and lost while awaiting transport on the banks of the Ruamahunga River. Haami Te Whaiti, Maori curator at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Arts and History, said the intended use of the carvings is unclear although it is believed they were destined for the Takitimu Marae as directed by prominent Ngati Kahungunu chief Tamahau Mahupuku in the 1880s.

Master carvers from the Ngati Porou iwi had been sent to the region to complete several works at about that time, he said. Mr Martin said elders warned his father the lone carving would be cut into kindling if left at Papawai, as the original artist was now lost to the ages as well. "He realised when he found it that it wasn't waste wood, that it was something special. He was told at Papawai that no one would touch it and he knew back then that Maori culture and art was not appreciated, so he took it home and put it in the woolshed.

"My father had an affinity with Maori. He was trusted," Mr Martin said. Mr Martin spoke with Mr Te Whaiti about the carving being placed in the public domain, as "the times now are a damn sight more understanding of Maori culture than they were 50 years ago". "There have been some Maori shearers that refused to go into the woolshed when they saw the carving, until they were told it was friendly and even as a child I knew it was special.

"It was the first thing you saw when you walked in the door and there's a void there now, where it used to rest in the woolshed. With that piece of it missing, it feels naked. "As long as I can remember I've known it was very significant and I thought about it long and hard and after speaking with the rest of the family, it was decided it was time to bring that old friend of mine into the light."

Restoration experts commissioned by Te Papa museum have examined and cleaned the surface of the carving, which will feature in an upcoming exhibition of pre and post-colonial Wairarapa history. Aratoi Museum director Marcus Boroughs said the carving stands as a testimony to the foresight of Norman Martin and the marriage of cultures.

"The story of the poupou itself, and its path here, is interesting. Its original intention was totally Maori and now it's actually become something else. It joins two worlds together." Rongowhakaata chief and prophet Te Kooti is said to have proclaimed during a visit to the Takitimu Marae that none would sleep within its walls but spiders. In 1911 the marae burnt down, making the recovered poupou the only surviving relic of the building besides a small bronze bell believed to be still in private hands "somewhere in South Wairarapa", Mr Burroughs said.

Eight multi-talented performers have been electrifying Auckland's CBD by celebrating Tamaki Makaurau's diverse and dynamic character through 'Word on the Streets to Unite Peoples' or WOTS UP.

The street performance has been travelling down Queen Street on Friday lunchtimes from 6 April with their final performance held on 27 April. The performance group, Whare Purakau, has been stopping at relevant locations to present spoken word, contemporary dance and Maori song to portray aspects of local people and historical sites. 

Director and Producer Tamati Patuwai states: "Wots Up" is a contemporary Maori street performance that celebrates movements of the peoples of Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland. A multi-disciplined blend of song, poetry and dance "Wots Up" also pays homage to the leaders of yesteryear and today: Nga Tupuna, Nga Tamatoa, the Panthers and the like... we bring it to the people..."

Toi Ake Tuwharetoa Maori Art & Design Expo 2007 is an open invitation to the World to join Ngati Tuwharetoa when we acknowledge Matariki, the Maori New Year, by celebrating our artists.

The Expo began in 2006 with a two-day exhibition featuring art that focused on elements of Maori design including tattoo, wood, greenstone and stone carvings, paua and greenstone jewellery , traditional and contemporary weaving, fashion, photographs, illustrations, pottery and paintings. This year's show opens with Te Hau Matao Fashion Show, on Wednesday 13 June at Turangi Town Centre.

Tickets will go on sale May 1st and will be available from The Maori Shop, the Taupo Museum or by sending our office an order and cheque (PO Box 311, Turangi). Tickets are $65.00 pp with a 10% discount for purchasing tables of eight.

Show sections include:

• Muka – designs created from the silky fibre found inside native harakeke (also known as flax)
• Raranga – garments woven from the many varieties of weaving materials including harakeke/flax, kuta, pingao, kiekie and other natural resources.
• Mixed media – the shows wearable art section; garments created from a vast variety of resources.
• Clothing – traditional design blended with contemporary ideas.  Street wear, formal wear and clothing for that special occasion.

The 2006 showcased the following designers:

• Bonnie Marshall
• Grace Marsh & Michael Osborne
• Hinewai Waipouri
• Jeanine Clarkin
• Mataara Belshaw-Downes
• Nancy Dews
• Paretuiri Simeon (Show Director)
• Te Mania Cribb
• Te Waiata Ida Ham
• Wikitoria Turner

Get your tickets to the fashion show now! Designer applications are still welcome (must links to Ngati Tuwharetoa via whakapapa, marriage and/or resident

Magic Hands: Maori and Pacific Textiles an exhibition covering taniko to tapa and piu – piu to bandanas and one that explores the Pacific's most overlooked art forms will be held at the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch from 13 May. Open from 11am – 1pm. For more info contact Canterbury Museum

03 366 5000 03 366 5622.

For those every wondering how Othello would play out within a Maori context, wonder no more. William Shakespeare's play directed by Jonathon Hendry draws from our own turbulent colonial history. Set in Aotearoa during the musket wars, Othello is Maori born and missionary-adopted. Now a powerful General of the British Army he arrives back in Aotearoa a stranger in his own land. As the tragic events unfold Othello's rigid control slips away and the trappings of society, status and order crumble to reveal a broken desperate man.

With an inspirational creative team, we bring you theatre in the round at Downstage once again. You will be taken to 1840s Russell, where merchants came to trade in any currency possible, where no laws were enforced and where New Zealand started to form as a nation.

Jim Moriarty as our Maori Othello is excited at the prospect of another bite at this challenging role after performing in the Court Theatre's acclaimed season in 2002. A celebrated NZ actor and director, who has performed in over 100 professional theatre productions throughout New Zealand and also in Australia, America, Britain, Scotland, Greece and Europe. Highlights include Michael James Manaia, Te Hokinga Mai, Purapurawhetu and directing Once Were Warriors – The Musical.

The play runs from 12 May - 9 Jun at Downstage Theatre in Wellington, click here for times and ticket prices.

Background: Othello is considered one of the greatest accounts of sexual jealousy in any language, Othello is one of Shakespeare's most popular and poignant tragedies. At the heart of the play lies the simple love story of the heroic General, Othello and his beloved young bride, Desdemona, two people defying society in order to follow their own hearts. But their love is corrupted by Othello's own destructive weakness and ill-placed trust in the villain Iago, resulting in his growing suspicion in Desdemona's fidelity. An intense, domestic tragedy unfolds.

TangataWhenua.com was pleased to receive news that artist Sofia Minson (Ngati Porou) will be showing in Chelsea, New York with her exhibit 'Out From Down Under and Beyond: Fine Art from Australia and New Zealand" starting May 4 at Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th Street.

Sofia's paintings are inspired by her respect for the land and mythology of Aotearoa (New Zealand), as well as her experiences from having lived and travelled amongst richly diverse cultures. Her work captures the colour and grandeur of people and life in Sri Lanka and Africa while also being influenced by her own Maori ancestry.

In the past three years her artistic career has grown rapidly. Sofia has won two national art competitions, graduated with an Art and Design degree and featured in numerous media publications. She now enjoys painting full-time and looks forward to participating in significant upcoming exhibitions in New Zealand and New York.