“I think in contemporary times, people sometimes look at the creative arts as a ‘nice to have’ as opposed to a crucial part of humanity. In fact, creativity informs, uplifts and relates to so many different areas of our society and the arts contribute significantly to our country’s overall wellbeing. It’s our job to create a better understanding of that.”
Associate Professor Taepa, Te Āti Awa, Te Arawa, who will begin the role on 1 July, has more than 25 years’ experience as a practising artist, educator and leader in toi Māori.
“It’s a privilege to contribute towards something that I feel is a part of me. I was born into an artistic family, I’m a practitioner and I’ve been in arts education for over 25 years now. This is an opportunity to engage at a ministry level and to advocate for the creative arts as an important pillar of our society.”
Associate Professor Taepa also brings a unique view as an educator and Director Māori Arts at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts. He was instrumental in leading the team of Māori artists and iwi who contributed to the creation of Te Rau Karamu marae at Massey’s Pukeahu Wellington campus just over five years ago.
“At Massey we have the largest suite of qualifications in creative arts tertiary education, a renowned Māori visual arts degree, Toioho ki Apiti in Palmerston North, as well as the Matauranga Toi Māori major taught out of Te Rau karamu Marae on the Wellington Campus. Massey has a significant and important role towards the success of creative arts and toi Måori.”
Associate Professor Taepa was also recently appointed as Deputy Chair of the Board of Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust which is charged with continuing the legacy of the Te Māori exhibition. The groundbreaking exhibition opened at the Metropolitian Museum of Art in New York in 1984 and toured to metropolitan galleries worldwide until 1987.
“Forty two years ago Te Māori presented our history and creativity to the world and in doing so it reflected back to us who we are as a nation. My job is to promote and protect those things that are dear to our creativity and Taonga.”
In this year’s budget the government committed $10 million funding over the next five years to extend the legacy of Te Māori and create global opportunities for Māori artists, curators, and iwi leaders.
“This investment recognises the mana, depth, and excellence of taonga Māori. It gives us the ability to take our taonga, our people and our mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), to the world with ambition, integrity, and purpose.”
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