Recent Events 2007

Ambassador McCormick and Mrs. McCormick attended the opening ceremonies for Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread - Te Aho Mutunga Kore  at the Christchurch Art Gallery

February 15, 2007

L-R: Waana Davis, Chairperson of Toi Maori, Jenny Harper, Director of Christchurch Art Gallery, The Mayor of Christchurch Garry Moore, United States Ambassador William P. McCormick and Mrs. Gail McCormick. Photo courtesy of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, photography by Brendan Lee. Larger Photo

On February 15 Ambassador McCormick and Mrs. McCormick attended the opening ceremonies for Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread - Te Aho Mutunga Kore  at the Christchurch Art Gallery. In 2006 the exhibition had toured to the Ambassador's home state of Oregon and Mrs McCormick attended the closing ceremony in Warm Springs. The Ambassador spoke at its Christchurch Art Gallery homecoming and said he was humbled to represent and stand alongside so many native Americans who honoured the cloaks by attending their homecoming exhibition. He also remarked how the exhibition, as it gathered momentum, inspired friendships and mutual understanding between the people of The United States and New Zealand. For the full text of the Ambassador's remarks click here.

The exhibition features traditional and contemporary work by more than forty leading Maori weavers, and includes kakahu (cloaks), whariki (mats), taniko (tapestries), tukutuku (wall panels), piupiu (skirts) and kete (baskets).

This is the first major international touring exhibition to celebrate Maori weaving, and has toured the United States to great acclaim, reaching audiences of over 50,000 people as well as the interest of the US media. The Gallery will host the homecoming of these precious taonga (treasures), along with a major programme of events celebrating Maori art and artists. Many of the artists with works in the exhibition will attend to give demonstrations of weaving and presentations about their work.Developed and toured by Pataka Museum in partnership with Toi Maori Aotearoa and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, and with the support of Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand.

To read the speech made by Ambassador McCormick... (more)