Watch Puamiria Parata-Goodall share the cultural narrative she developed for Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre and how this empowers us to embrace and create our own unique expressions of a shared history.
This narrative enables us to recognise the history of the land, traditions and knowledge of its indigenous people.
It weaves together the cultural values, traditions and history of Ngāi Tūāhuriri in whose takiwā (district) we stand. It recognises the rights and guarantees provided under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and respects the mana of the local hapū, iwi and all peoples who call this land home.
Tūrangawaewae is often translated as 'a place to stand'. Tūrangawaewae are places where we feel especially empowered and connected to. They are our foundation, our place in the world, our home.
Are you curious to know learn more about our history? Take this opportunity to read the cultural narrative of Te Matatiki Toi Ora or watch the following presentation:
This is our place – Tūrangawaewae, recorded in October 2021 during Christchurch Heritage Festival.
Puamiria Parata-Goodall is an advocate for the arts, culture and heritage sector. She is a former Arts Centre Trust Board member, a Trust Board Member of Canterbury Museum and Lincoln University Council, committee member of Te Pae Korako - the Ngāi Tahu Archives and Whakapapa Committee and Ngāi Tahu Fund. She is the Kaiurungi (Chair) of the Māori Arts Advisory Komiti at Te Matatiki Toi Ora.
Photo credit: Scene on the Horotueka or Cam/Kaiapoi Pah Canterbury, Charles Haubroe, 1855
Ref: 1951.15.5 Canterbury Museum
Te Matatiki Toi Ora is the name gifted to The Arts Centre by Ngāi Tūahuriri during the post-earthquake restoration.
When translated from te reo Māori, it means “The spring of living art”.
The Arts Centre site is built above an aquifer – a spring which has been a source of water and life to the surrounding area and people for centuries.
In Māori worldview, matatiki/springs are bearers of knowledge and wellbeing.
It is appropriate that this area, where springs are known to have existed, is a place of culture and learning.
Having Te Matatiki Toi Ora as our name and a visible part of our branding gives us a sense of place connected through history and geography.
The Arts Centre is the heart of innovation, ideas, passion and art for locals and visitors alike – a source of creative excellence, spreading its creativity through Ōtautahi Christchurch, Waitaha Canterbury and Aotearoa New Zealand.
E tū, e tū te mauri e
Te mauri o ngā mahi toi, e tū e
E tū, e tū te mauri e
Te mauri o Te Matatiki Toi Ora e
E tū, e tū te mauri e,
Hei oranga mō te tangata e
Allow the life force to gather and convene
The life force of the arts, gather and convene
Allow the life force to gather and convene
The life force of The Arts Centre, gather and convene
Allow the life force to gather and convene
For the betterment of humanity
Nā Corban Te Aika i tito hei waiata tautoko mō Te Mataiki Toi Ora, 2022.
Composed by Corban Te Aika as a song of encouragement for Te Matatiki Toi Ora 2022.
