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Media Release
Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Southland Matariki celebrations, held annually in June, will once again include a variety of events that mark the start of Maori New Year.  Southland will play host to a programme of events that focus on celebrating the period during the year when the Matariki constellation appears in the southern skies.  Riki Cherrington, Kaumaatua at the Southern Institute of Technology, said “Matariki is the time to give thanks and saying farewell (poroporoaki) to the year in passing and all what it had for us, Matariki also generates the renewing of friendships by welcoming (powhiri) the new year through whakapapa (genealogy), through celebrations and in education.”

Included in the mix will be a Maori short film festival to be screened at Repertory House on Saturday, 18 June.
The programme of films is curated by the Wairoa Maori Film Festival and presented in association with the New Zealand Film Commission and Venture Southland. This is the third year that the festival has been held, providing around 90 minutes of captivating viewing in a series of seven short Maori films.

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Venture Southland’s Creative Projects Manager, Angela Newell said it was fantastic to be able to include the film festival again in Southland’s Matariki celebrations.
“Matariki is an important celebration and the film festival provides the opportunity for audiences to experience some of the country’s unique heritage. The festival showcases Maori writers, directors and actors and will appeal to all those interested in the Maori culture, filmmakers and those interested in cinema,” Ms Newell said.
The films that will feature in this year’s festival include:
The Winter Boy
(House NZ 2010. 8 mins. Producer: Hineani Melbourne. Writer: Kylie Meehan.)
A mother tries to comfort her grieving son, but an outing to the local aquarium places further strain on their troubled relationship – until her son finds a reason to let his mother in again. Cast: Tahei Simpson and Te Aho Whitu (“Rocky” from “Boy”).
Redemption
(2010 NZ. 17 mins. Director Katie Wolfe. Adult content.)
A love story featuring two young Maori. A story about growing up and an unusual relationship that is simple, moving and tragic. A boy, a girl … and a step too far into a personal abyss of violence and pain. Survival may not bring a happy ending. Cast: Pana Hema-Taylor, Sera Henare, Karlos Drinkwater. Writers: Tim Balme, Renae Maihi & Katie Wolfe based on story by Phil Kawana.
Manurewa
(2010 Sam Peacocke. 19 mins. Adult content/violence)
A multi-stranded, narrative impression of a tragic robbery that took place in Manurewa, New Zealand.
A full programme is listed below.
The film festival will screen at Repertory House, corner Jed and Esk Streets, Invercargill on Saturday, 18 June at 7pm.
Tickets are available from the Invercargill i-SITE for $15 or groups of 10 for $10 per person. Door sales will be available from 6pm.
In addition to the film festival, there will be a karakia at the Murihiku Marae (Tramway Road) from 7am on Wednesday, 8 June, followed by a hangi (gold coin donation).
The Southern Institute of Technology is also organising a hikoi (walk) on 8 June from Wachner Place to Te Pakiaka (on Forth Street) from 9.30am, which will be followed by a powhiri at 10.30am.

Tags: matariki