FROM THE CURATORS
E ngā mana, e ngā reo e ngā kaitautoko o te ao kanikani Tēnā koutou katoa
Following on from the inaugural Matariki Festival the directors are honoured to be returning for our second year, during the excitement of New Zealand’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup.
We were encouraged by Celia Walmsley from the St James and Opera House to continue to showcase not only our Maori dancers but our Pacific brothers and sisters to the world.
We present our own world in union on stage tonight as we welcome our special guests, Nikosinathi from South Africa.
Thank you to the Real New Zealand Festival, CNZ, WCC, Celia Walmsley and our sponsors to allow the spirit of Kōwhiti to soar again.
2010 was the Pōwhiri – the traditional Maori welcoming ceremony of Kōwhiti into our community. 2011 is the weaving of other cultures and the connection between nations.
Let us celebrate in the richness of our diversity within culture, language and the wonderful playing field of the arts.
Arohanui,
Merenia & Tanemahuta Gray
& Jenny Stevenson
Directors & curators of Kōwhiti Dance 2011
MERENIA GRAY
CURATOR, DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
Kaitahu, Rangitāne, Waikato.
Merenia is one of New Zealand’s prominent choreographers. Since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1990, she has worked nationally and internationally as a contemporary dancer, teacher and choreographer.
TANEMAHUTA GRAY
CURATOR, DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
Kaitahu, Rangitāne, Waikato.
Tanemahuta Gray graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1994. Since then, he has worked professionally as a dancer, choreographer, aerialist, director and producer, both in New Zealand and around the world. He is currently the Contemporary Dance and Maori Cultural tutor at Whitireia Performing Arts.
JENNY STEVENSON
PRODUCER, MARKETING MANAGER
A former professional dancer and teacher, Jenny was the Founder and Managing Director of Wellington Performing Arts Centre for twenty-one years before passing the business on to Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
Jenny is currently working as a writer, producer and arts and education adviser in Auckland.