Witi Ihimaera

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Witi Ihimaera

• Whale Rider is his first novel to be made into a
  movie.

• 1973- 1989 worked as a diplomat in New Zealand.

• 1990 began teaching at University of Auckland

• Works focus on problems within modern Maori
  society

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New Zealand

• 1250 miles southeast of Australia

Population est. 4,076,140
Capital- Wellington
About the size of Colorado
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New Zealand History

• Maoris inhabited around 1000

• Britain annexed in 1840
• Treaty of Waitangi

• 1841- Declared Sovereignty

• 1904- Became part of the British Common Wealth

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Fun Facts

• New Zealanders are also called Kiwis

• First place in the world to allow women to vote

• Longest Place Name still in use

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki
maunga-horonukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

• Aotearoa- Maori name means long white cloud

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Whare Runanga

• Counsel house

Sacred buildings
Focal point of tribal customs
Named after important ancestor
Speak to buildings as a person
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Maori Art

• Tattoos

Practiced among high ranking people
Marked rites of passage
Carved skin with chisels not punctured
Women tattooed on chin and lips
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Maori Art
Carvings
Told legends
Represent unrealistic human forms
Symbolic of family status and genealogy
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Maori Art
Weaving
Woven with New Zealand flax
Looms not used
Still important cultural significance
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Haka

• Traditional Song and Dance

• Originally performed by warriors before a battle,
  proclaiming their strength and prowess in order
  to intimidate the opposition

• Thought of as war dances have different purposes

• Part of formal or official welcome ceremonies for
  distinguished visitors or foreign dignitaries,
  serving to impart a sense of the importance of
  the occasion.

• All Black ruby team performs at beginning of
  every game

Click here to view Haka demonstration
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Citations

• http//www.internet-at-work.com/hos_mcgrane/maori/
  eg_maori_intro.html
• http//www.newzealand.com/travel/app_templates/hak
  a/en/index.html
• http//www.history-nz.org/index.html
• http//www.maori.info/maori_society.htm
• http//www.maori.info/index.htm