Breath of the Birds: the Revival of Taonga Puoro
The annual Lilburn Lectures are a collaboration between the Lilburn Trust and the National Library of New Zealand. This year’s Lilburn Lecture will be the seventh in this series of open public talks. Refreshments will be served following the Lecture.
Friday 1 November 2019
Time 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Cost Free. RSVP as places are limited. Keith.McEwing@dia.govt.nz
Venue Taiwhanga Kauhau — Auditorium (lower ground floor), Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.
Esteemed New Zealand composer Dame Gillian Whitehead (Ngāi te Rangi) will speak of the origin of ngā taonga puoro, their revival, and how she has used these traditional Māori musical instruments in her work. The lecture will include a performance by NZSO principal flautist, Bridget Douglas and taonga puoro performer and researcher, Alistair Fraser.
About the speaker:
Dame Gillian Whitehead has written a wide range of music including works for solo, chamber, choral, orchestral and operatic forces, most of them direct commissions from performers and funding organisations. A number of her works have been recorded for commercial release, including a CD of her chamber works by Wai-te-ata Press and a recording of her opera, Outrageous Fortune. In 2000 she became one of the inaugural Artist Laureates of the NZ Arts Foundation. In 2008 she became a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, one of New Zealand’s highest
honours, and she was granted the title ‘Dame’ in 2009. 2018 saw Gillian receive an Arts Icon Award, recognising her enormous contribution to New Zealand’s cultural landscape. Overseen by the Arts Foundation, there are only 20 of these awards in circulation at any time, the recipient holding the award for life. A significant collection of Dame Gillian’s works is held in the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Image: Photographs of Gillian Whitehead. Ref: PADL-000849. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/32058367
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.9% Second half of November
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43.1% 1st December
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16.9% A week before Christmas
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33.9% Whenever you wish
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
Spring spruce up
Spring is the season of new beginnings and the perfect time to declutter and refresh your home. Imagine stepping into a space that feels open, organised, and filled with only what truly matters. Whether you’re looking to simplify your life, want to downsize, or just enjoy a more comfortable living space, decluttering is a great way to start.
With these expert tips from decluttering and organising specialist Peter Walsh, you can take small steps toward a clutter-free home that you’ll love spending time in.
Click read more for more article.
Hīkoi to parliament
Traffic heading into Wellington City has eased, however motorists should continue to expect significant delays in the city.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has reached Waitangi Park, with Police reporting no issues from this morning’s movements.
Another group of about 2000 people from the Hutt Valley began arriving at the Wellington Railway Station at around 8:30am.
The hīkoi is expected to begin their walk to Parliament along the Golden Mile (Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street and Lambton Quay) at 9am.