April 21, 2015
Artists question war narrative
Several Maori artists are participating in an exhibition opening in Wellington today challenging ideas about New Zealand in World War I.
Disrupting the Narrative at Thistle Hall Gallery includes work by Brett Graham, Tame Iti, Bob Kerr, Elijah Winter, Bridget Reweti, and others.
Mr Iti says while he has always taken part in ANZAC commemorations within Tuhoe as a community activity, the tribe has its own story to tell.
"Some people in Tuhoe did not participate in the First World War following Princess Te Puea's campaign not to go to that war. Rua Kenana was saying the same story, that we should not partiicipate in the Pakeha war, because it was not long before that Tuhoe people were fighting against the British, against the crown. Some of those people were still around during that period of time," he says.
On the afternoon of Anzac Day Disrupting the Narrative will feature discussion on the First World War and its contemporary implications from Stevan Eldred-Grigg, Peace Action Wellington, the Labour History Project and featured artists.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com