The festival runs from 18 to 22 March.

The theme is Me Reretau - Be in Balance. It offers stories that seek harmony in an increasingly discordant world.

The seventh annual festival will present over 120 films and 69 events from 92 indigenous nations while hosting filmmakers from communities around the world.

"The programme is packed with New Zealand and southern hemisphere premieres of shorts, features and documentary films that show the exceptional storytelling of indigenous peoples from across the globe," MFF2020 festival director Libby Hakaraia said.

Young Maori film-makers have programmed a Maoriland Rangatahi Film Festival which will show short films made in January during Our Lens workshop in Taiwan and Sápmi.

The festival will open with the premiere of Kiwi-sized blockbuster The Legend of Baron To'a, directed by Tainui filmmaker Kiel McNaughton

The festival will also feature non-screen-based artistry including:

• The visual arts gallery Toi Matarau.
• Tamoko, carvers, weavers, and jewellers will be working around the Maoriland Hub
• A keynote address will be given at Rangiatea church
• NATIVE Minds a series of interactive discussions with guest speakers from New Zealand and abroad will examine how indigenous thinking shapes our existence and our view of the world.
• Maoriland Tech Creative Hub (M.A.T.C.H) will also present virtual reality demonstrations.
• Filmmakers in attendance will be put into groups to plan and produce a film in just 72 hours.

In 2019 the Maoriland Film Festival was attended by 12,500 visitors.

Click here to see the full programme

Click here to purchase tickets. Or call 0508 iTICKET (484 253)

Source

• Supplied
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: festhome.com

The newly ordained bishop was supported by groups from different areas.

She comes from from the Wairarapa, but now has charge of a large area that includes Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington up to Palmerston.

Rev Dr Rangi Nicholson, the local minister, welcomed Waitohiariki. "I hope your ordination will bring new life to Rangiatea and the region", he said.

He noted that all churches welcomed her.

"We are faced with a lot of challenges. How do we, Anglicans and indeed all Christians, keep the church alive, especially for youth".

The service was organized and led by another Rangiatea minster, Rev Marie Collin.

She is an Anglican priest who also hails from the Wairarapa.

She was assisted by long-time Anglican support, Rev Georgia Hapeta.

The service was the one used on Aotearoa Sunday.

It marks the start of the Christian church in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

It recalls Samuel Marsden, whose arrival was to shape the bicultural identity of the church.

Waitohiariki pronounced forgiveness, read the Gospel and preached.

"I acknowledge all those who have gone before me. They opened the gateway to the Gospel for us.

I remember especially the different Maori Bishops before me, such as Bishop Paul Reeves, Bishop Hapai Winiata, Bishop Whakahuihui Vercoe and Bishop Muru Walters".

At her ordination in Masterton in September the bishop was presented with a full kakahu.

Denise Hapeta explained how it had been woven by local weavers.

It is called Tohaina o painga ki te Ao: Spread your good works to the world.

"This kakahu is a blessing for you to do that", she said.

The bishop gave a final Blessing.

After the service, the bishop was welcomed onto Raukawa Marae where further speeches were made and a lovely hakari to celebrate.

Source

Supplied: Pa Piripi Cody

Recently a new building was opened to replace it. It contains a meeting place for students, a special hall embracing carvings representing all the local tribal groups, a library and various offices.

It is called Te Ara a Tawhaki. Tawhaki was one of the mythical heroes of Maoridom. He made his way to the heavens where he succeeded in obtaining Nga Kete o te Wananga (The Three Baskets of Learning).

The whakatuwheratanga (official opening) began with karakia (prayers) at 5:30 am.

Then people entered the building and speeches followed explaining the purpose of the building.

After a breakfast, there were more speeches explaining the building's meaning and significance, its name and the carvings in it.

Then people were invited to look around themselves and put their blessing on it.

‘Nga Kete o te Wanangakete that Tawhaki brought are represented in the weaving pattern on the outside of the building.

There are three kete (baskets). In one understanding they are: Te Kete Aronui, learning about the natural world we see around us; Te Kete Tuauri, learning about the world beyond our sight - the wider universe, and Te Kete Tuaatea, learning about the spiritual world beyond space and time.

The interior design is made up of the arches of a whare (house) which welcomes all people to enter and explore the paths of learning.

It is a reminder to all that it is not a question of obtaining a lot of knowledge to succeed, but of being able to keep learning wisdom that is more important.

The elders who presided at the opening included Matiu Rei (Purutanga Mauri or Spiritual Governor), Pita Richardson (Spiritual Governor), Whatarangi Winiata (Spiritual Governor), Robin Hapi (Amokapua or Chair) and Mereana Selby (Tumuaki or Principal).

E te whare, ko Te Ara a Tawhaki, e tu, e tu, e tu. Te Ara a Tawhaki, stand tall as a symbol of learning.

Dew has thanked the priests and brothers of the Society of Mary for their pastoral care and leadership in Otaki which the Society of Mary has provided almost continuously since 1844.

The Society only recently took up care of the larger new parish of Sts Mary and Joseph, which combines both Otaki and Levin.

But because of the ageing of its priests and brothers the Society of Mary has found it can no longer provide a religious community to minister to the pastoral care for the parish.

"Given the long history of the Marist presence in this area, this move is not something that we have approached lightly or rashly," said Father David Kennerley, the provincial of the Society of Mary.

"Indeed, it is with great sadness and regret that we have made this decision."

Society of Mary will continue to offer its assistance to the parish and the greater Wellington area in Maori Pastoral Care.

Source

• Supplied: Archdiocese of Wellington; Society of Mary
• Image: c2.staticflickr.com

Although the Australian narrator , understandably struggles a little with Maori pronunciation the video provides a concise and accurate account of the history and significance of the shrine of Our Lady of Pukekaraka.

The church at Otaki is the oldest Catholic Church still in use in New Zealand.

The adjacent marae, meeting houses and cemetery contain some interesting historic features.

Watch the You Tube video