October 28th, 2008
Cat & Monkey
Archive for October, 2008
October 28th, 2008
Puhoi
Labour day yesterday so had the day off and decided to head North up the coast. Got as far as Puhoi which has an awesome pub, and Pakiri beach just a bit further up the road. It’s a beautiful beach, first visited back in January
click here for full-res (spot the three-legged man!)
click here for full-res
October 11th, 2008
Music Awards
The Bunker Boys had a night out to the Vodafone Music Awards this Wednesday. Three of our videos got plenty of coverage, Nesian 101, Anika Moa – Dreams in my head (which we filmed nearly a year ago), and Op-Shop – One Day. Lots of free booze that night = messy Bobby. Thanks to Solly as I’ve stolen these photos from his blog.
October 6th, 2008
A Weekend on the Marae
We shot our third video for Nesian Mystik this weekend. The Nesian group is a mixed bunch with NZ, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island, Māori Blood, even a bit of English and Chinese thrown in for good measure.
We decided to film in and around lead singer Awa’s family Marae. For non-kiwis – the Marae is a holy place for Māori, an enclosed space in front of and including a (meeting house) and a wharekai (dining hall). It is the spiritual home for each Iwi (tribe) and it’s various Whānau (families).
This is where all decisions are made and meetings, funerals, ceremonies, birthdays are held here.
However, strangers cannot just wonder onto the Marae – and have to go through Pōwhiri, or a welcoming ceremony. This involves someone for the Iwi representing you, and leading you onto the land while the Karanga (women calling/singing in Māori) takes place. You then enter the wharenui, the local leaders speak, and both the hosts and guests must sing a song. The Hongi takes place last – this is where you touch noses and is symbolic as you share the same breath and become family. You are then free to enter the Marae at any time.
Larger version here
Larger version here
One thing to note is that you are not a guest, rather a member of the family and expected to help with the upkeep of the Marae.
After the ceremony, we filmed a little, listened to the guys play guitar and sing, got a few hours kip (everyone sleeps in the wharenui, and those polys know how to snore!), got up before sunrise and filmed through-out the day.
It was a great experience for this Pākehā, something I’ve wanted to do for some time. It wasn’t like the ones put on for the tourists,and wasn’t as full on and drawn out as some can be by all accounts.
October 1st, 2008
Award Winning
