Alessandra Zecchini: Maori

Showing posts with label Maori. Show all posts

Saturday, July 9, 2016

A week of Italian and Māori

Carlo and my friend Suzanne

Yes it was a full week of Italian and Māori things for me! First I got my first case of JK.14 Prosecco and wine delivery, from Veneto to the New Zealand bush! Then Chef Carlo Casoni from Mutti came to NZ (thank you Eurodell for the tickets!), and finally I went to an amazing Italian event organized by Cuisine Magazine at Gusto, with 5 of the most famous chefs in Auckland (Sean, Sergio, Stefania, Giapo and Gaetano).

Celebrating Cuisine Magazine Italian event!

Māori

Māori Language Week/Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is coming to an end, but let us keep the korero alive, and learn the meaning of Māori place names with Oratia Books fully revised edition of A.W. Reed’s classic Māori Place Names.

This fourth edition gives meanings and origins of over 2300 of the most important and widespread Māori names, and includes the original illustrations by celebrated artist James Berry featured in the early editions of the book.

A bit of fun: the movie Poi E, based on the making of the famous hit by the same name, is coming out soon. So I grabbed my 'Italian' poi and went over to the Corban Art Centre for a lesson on poi dancing (and Poi E singing). So cool! I even ended up in the News…

The original Poi E video

Happy weekend everyone!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

From Silence to Voice

From Silence to Voice: The Rise of Maori Literature, by Paola Della Valle

If you are interested in New Zealand and Maori writing, Paola Della Valle provides an accessible account of how writers like Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera established a Maori voice in literature, with a close analysis of many of the key texts in modern Maori writing. Published by Libro International

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership

Coming this month is our newest publication Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership, a full-colour paperback that documents the trajectory of Māori leadership from first settlement of Aotearoa/New Zealand through to the challenges and opportunities of the present day.

This 32-page book is concisely written by Paul Tapsell, professor of Māori studies at the University of Otago, with Dr Merata Kawharu, director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre of the University of Auckland, and features beautiful photos by Krzysztof Pfeiffer, photographer at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and author of over 20 books.

After a general introduction to Māori history, Te Ara focuses on the stories of iwi in five regions – Hokianga, Peowhairangi (Bay of Islands) Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Waiariki (Rotorua-Taupo) and Murihiku (Otago-Southland).

Te Ara accompanies an exhibition that will open in Olsztyn, Poland, on 22 September, before touring in Poland and then elsewhere to Europe. The present edition contains text in three languages – Māori, English and Polish – definitely a first!

Te Ara: Māori Pathways of Leadership - ISBN 978-1-877514-12-8 - retails at $19.99

Monday, August 16, 2010

SHARING OUR STORIES BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE FOR KIWI KIDS

Awakening young readers to the wonders that surround them is the kaupapa (mission) of Sharing Our Stories, a group of committed young leaders who today release their first book in English and Te Reo editions.

The Castle in our Backyard (in English) and Te Pā Kaha kei tō tatōu Iāri (in Māori) is the first book by group member Malcolm Paterson, and is illustrated by young Karekare artist Leah Mulgrew.

Released to mark Māori Language Week/Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, the book invites young readers to enter the history of Auckland’s One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie alongside two modern-day characters.

Tui and his cousin Jennifer are too busy playing a video game to want to visit Maungakiekie – until their Nanny Marei tells them the mountain’s got giants and fortresses, just like their game.

Sharing Our Stories grew as a team project under a leadership programme of the Committee for Auckland.

“We hope that by becoming more aware of our rich history, New Zealanders will enhance their pride in our unique heritage,” said Malcolm Paterson.

The books, from Waitakere City publisher Libro International, are available at good bookstores and online.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

First book of the year by Libro International

The first release of 2010 from Libro International is about to go to the printer. The Castle in Our Backyard comes from the talented group of young people behind Sharing Our Stories, a concept to teach younger readers about the history and geography of the landscapes they inhabit, showing that their immediate environment has as much drama and excitement as video games or TV. Written by Sharing Our Stories member Malcolm Paterson and illustrated by Leah Mulgrew, this engaging story for primary and intermediate age readers will be released in English and Maori editions in mid-June, at the time of the Matariki festival.

For more details go to Libro International.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Nga Waka o Neherā

The history of New Zealand is fascinating, and particularly fascinating is the history of the early settlements of Maori who voyaged by canoe (waka) across the oceans to reach Aotearoa.

ISBN: 978-1-877514-04-3

THE BOOK:

Finally back in print after more than ﬁve years, this is the essential reference work to the traditions of Maori canoes that voyaged to New Zealand – including lists of the waka, names of crew members and vessels, karakia and waiata, and maps. A must for lovers of history, students of Maori and nautical enthusiasts.

This is the second in a programme of short-run reissues of important New Zealand books by Libro International.

THE AUTHOR:

Jeff Evans is a writer and photographer who works for leading clients in New Zealand and overseas. An authority on Maori canoes, Jeff is also the author of Waka Taua: The Maori War Canoe, The Discovery of Aotearoa and Maori Weapons in Pre-European New Zealand, and editor of Elsdon Best’s Notes on the Art of War. Jeff lives in Waitakere City.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Healthy Kai, Healthy Communities

Cultural and Environmental Sustainability Maori Organics Conference in New Zealand New Zealand - A three-day hui (gathering) was held in Ahipara, in northern New Zealand this June to bring together producers, cooks, educators and students around the topic of organic food production in Maori communities. Representatives from the Terra Madre network were involved in the organization of the event which presented a varied program: discussion of the Maori standard for farming and gardening Hua Parakore; celebration of the young farmers who participated in the Manawhenua Challenge; and the opportunity to enjoy pure traditional kai (food) and learn new recipes from long-time Slow Food members Alessandra Zecchini and Mariapia de Razza. The common motivation of all those who traveled from around the country to participate – of all ages and backgrounds - was a ‘passion for healthy food', said Terra Madre 2006 delegate Percy Tipene, also chairman of the Maori organic authority Te Waka Kai Ora. ‘Indigenous food systems are now being recognized internationally for their sustainability. Hua Parakore standard for Maori organics is our response to this growing market for culturally and environmentally responsible foods and medicines.’ Terra Madre 2008 delegate Rueben Taipari-Porter commented that the conference brought together many inspiring people, and provided an opportunity to network, share knowledge and learn new skills. ‘I hope the many cooks and caterers who attended will take with them some new found knowledge about healthy food to our people, and especially to our children.’

For more information:
Rueben Taipari-Porter
rporter@xtra.co.nz http://www.huamaori.com/

from Slow Food - Terra Madre newsletter, July-August 09

Monday, June 8, 2009

Te Waka Kai Ora

Taitokerau Organics Inc hosted Te Waka Kai Ora (TWKO), the national maori authority for the organic industry of New Zealand, in Ahipara, Te Hiku O Te Ika from the 5th - 7th June 2009.

Te Waka Kai Ora is the national maori representative body that is a part of Organic Aotearoa NZ (OANZ), the national organic authority for support of the organic industry.

I was there to cook an run workshops about Italian and healthy food for the partecipants.

During the 3 day wananga in Ahipara Northland, were addressed the need to support maori and the certification of their goods and services that they produce, and many other issues related to organic growing, the environment, and healthy eating. This hui was also part of a maori land tv series, and a documentary, to be showcased in 2010.

For more photos and info click here.