MOKORUA: NGĀ KŌRERO MŌ TŌKU MOKO KAUAE – MY STORY OF MOKO KAUAE
Ariana Tikao and Matt Calman
Join singer, taonga pūoro musician and writer Ariana Tikao and photographer Matt Calman for a kōrero about the stunning illustrated nonfiction book, Mokorua: Ngā kōrero mō tōku moko kauae - My story of moko kauae, which is a revealing and emotional account of how Ariana received her moko kauae. Held in conjunction with Kanohi Kitea, an exhibition that presents tā moko amongst tangata whenua.
Ariana Tikao grew up in suburban Christchurch in the 1970s and ’80s surrounded by te ao Pākehā. This book tells the story of Ariana exploring her whakapapa, her whānau history and her language. This is one woman’s story, but it is interwoven with the revival of language, tikanga and identity among Kāi Tahu whānau over the past 30 years.
Ariana’s journey culminates in her decision to take on Mokorua – her moko kauae – from tā moko artist Christine Harvey. After an emotionally charged ceremony that brought together whānau, young and old, for songs and tautoko, hugs and tears, Ariana writes: ‘Our whānau had reached another milestone in the decolonisation process – or, rather, in our journey of reindigenising ourselves, becoming who we always were.’
Through Ariana’s words, te reo Māori text by her hoa tāne Ross Calman, and an intimate, moving photo essay by Matt Calman, Mokorua reveals the journey of one woman reclaiming her Māori identity. Ariana will be joined by Matt to kōrero about her experiences and the creation of the pukapuka.
And be sure to visit the digital exhibition on display in the Old Gallery, as part of Kanohi Kitea (from 16 Sept to 19 Nov), featuring highlights from Matt Calman’s stunning photo essay.
All pukapuka will be for sale through our Festival bookstore Paper Plus Nelson, both at their shop and at their stall at Pukapuka Talks sessions - your opportunity to meet authors and get your books signed! You can also purchase books from Paper Plus online.
Ariana Tikao
Ariana Tikao is a singer, taonga pūoro musician and writer of Kāi Tahu descent, and recipient of a 2020 Arts Foundation Laureate award. She writes waiata, poetry and creative non-fiction exploring themes relating to her Kāi Tahu identity and mana wahine, often drawing on historical kōrero from her ancestors. She is among the current generation of artists and leaders rejuvenating taonga pūoro, following in the footsteps of Hirini Melbourne and of her mentors Richard Nunns and Brian Flintoff.
Matt Calman
Matt Calman is of Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga, and Ngāi Tahu descent. He is a trained artist, with a Diploma of Arts (with Hons) from the Design and Arts College of New Zealand, majoring in photography, and went on to study journalism, graduating with a Diploma in Journalism from Massey University. Matt worked at the Dominion Post from 2007 to 2010 and he is the author of The Longest Day (Allen and Unwin, 2020). Mokorua is his first book of photography. Matt received his own tā moko from Porirua artist Wiremu Barriball in 2016. He lives in Ōtautahi with his wife, Ranui Calman, and their two daughters, and is currently undertaking full-time study in te reo Māori at Ara / Te Pukenga.
Pukapuka Talks are presented by:
