December 09, 2016
MP put right on Hundertwasser plan
One of the backers of Whangarei’s Hundertwasser Art Centre is assuring Taitokerau MP Kelvin Davis the $16 million project is respectful of Maori interests – even if iwi haven’t yet woken up to its potential.
Mr Davis questioned why the Maori art gallery that is part of the centre is named Wairau rather than a name connected with the area.
Project control group member Benjamin Pittman says the name was suggested by kaumatua Patu Hohepa as a mark of respect for artist Freidensreich Hundertwasser, as both names mean a hundred waters.
He says individual Maori have contributed, but iwi aren’t seeing the bigger picture of having a showcase for contemporary Maori art within the distinctive Hundertwasser museum.
"Independent research has shown it will add $24 million to the Northland economy alone and that is a conservative effort so this is about jobs for our people and the spin offs for Maori tourism are huge and it seems a lot of people with the power of decision haven’t realised that," Dr Pittman says.
His Whangarei hapu Te Parawhau has been involved at every stage of the project, and they won’t put up with any mana munching if iwi try to climb on board without contributing.
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