On Friday, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key
marked New Zealand's National Day at the Shanghai World Expo by
gifting a symbolic piece of Māori art to China's Baoshan Folk Art
Museum.
In an official ceremony outside New Zealand's Expo pavilion, Mr
Key acknowledged his commitment to strengthening ties between New
Zealand and China as he formally gifted the giant kauri waharoa
(gateway).
Created in the shape of a waka maumahara (ceremonial canoe) and
incorporating intertwined Māori and Chinese designs, the waharoa
will stand 10 metres high and 3 metres wide when it is unveiled at
the museum in September.
The size of the waharoa meant a waka taonga (traditional carved
box) was handed to Baoshan Museum officials by Mr Key in place of
the full-sized carving.
"The Waharoa will be a visible and lasting symbol of the
strengthening ties between New Zealand and China," says Mr Key.
"It will be used to promote tourism and the cultural experiences
that Chinese visitors can expect when they come to New
Zealand."
The waharoa is carved from a 3,500-year-old piece of kauri that
was reclaimed from swamp land in Northland. It began its journey in
Doubtless Bay in the far north before being transported to Te Puia
in Rotorua in February. The carving has been completed by Te Puia
carvers on-site at the New Zealand Pavilion over the first two
months of the Expo.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said the
project was a strong hook for local media and an opportunity to
raise awareness of New Zealand as a tourism destination during
Expo.
"Our unique Māori culture sets New Zealand apart from other
destinations. Having the Te Puia carvers completing the waharoa on
site, infusing both traditional Māori and Chinese values and
customs into this project and the exchanges between the two
countries, has captured the imagination of Expo visitors, media and
the Chinese public," Kevin Bowler said.
Tourism New Zealand has secured positive coverage around the
project since the waharoa was farewelled from Rotorua in April,
when Prime Minister Key and China's Ambassador to New Zealand each
carved a small piece of the waharoa.
Media from key Chinese travel and lifestyle media attended the
ceremony, along with New Zealand media covering the Shanghai World
Expo. Tourism New Zealand also had a film crew on-site and will
share footage with additional Chinese and international online
media.
The waharoa project has been lead by Te Puia and Tourism New
Zealand. It was funded by New Zealand's Cultural Diplomacy
International Fund. Known as 'Te Kakano' (The Seed), the waharoa
and its gifting to the Baoshan Museum represents the first in a
series of projects aimed at creating 'cultural portals' between New
Zealand and China, which will facilitate cultural and business
exchanges.
Karl Johnstone, Te Puia Acting Chief Executive, says cultural
exchanges like the waharoa project can lay a strong foundation for
business relationships in Asian markets, including China.
"Many Māori values and cultural beliefs are similar to those of
the Chinese. The opportunity to share the rich traditions between
our cultures is a great way to build an enduring partnership;
relationships come first, and business follows from this platform,"
says Karl Johnstone.
"The 'Te Kakano' project has laid this foundation for New
Zealand businesses including the tourism industry, by creating a
high profile cultural connection between the two countries from
which business, marketing and relationship opportunities can
evolve."
Minister Pita Sharples will travel to China with a delegation of
Māori business people in September, when the waharoa will be
officially unveiled in its new home.
Carvers from Te Puia have worked on-site at
the Shanghai Expo to complete 'Te Kakano' since the Expo opened in
June. Pictured: Master Carver James Rickard.