Five-storey mural unveiled in Ngāmotu
A massive five-storey mural of late Māori rights activist Hana Te Hemara was officially unveiled in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth, on Thursday morning.
Artist Graham Hoete (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Awa), also known as Mr G, had worked on the painting, on the side of Puke Ariki, since August 30.
It commemorates the life of the activist from Taranaki, who was one of the founding members of Ngā Tamatoa – a group that worked throughout the 1970s to promote Māori rights.
Fifty years ago this week, Te Hemara and other members of Ngā Tamatoa presented a petition with more than 30,000 signatures to the Crown to have te reo Māori taught in schools.
Initially, Mr G painted the words of the petition on the wall, using them as a ‘‘grid base’’ on which he painted Hana’s image.
‘‘At first there were a few scrunched faces – some people thought I was just painting the words, but as I started painting the portrait and the eyes, their reactions really started to turn.’’
Mr G said some of the most special moments were seeing people tear up while looking at the portrait.
‘‘I think it’s been warmly embraced with open arms, and it’s just appropriate and fitting having her here, and here in Ngāmotu and Taranaki. The portrait is big, it’s bold, vibrant and unapologetic and that’s the type of person she was.’’
The mural, which was unveiled with a karakia at 6am, is part of a series of events called I am Hana, which commemorates the activist’s achievements.
Hana’s daughter, Ramari Jackson-Paniora, said there was more to come.
As for what her Mum would think, Jackson-Paniora said
Hana would probably say there was somebody better or more fitting to go on the wall.
‘‘That was just who she was, but she’s there and I love that and it’s really our gift to Taranaki. She was vibrant, she was fearless, she was iconic, she was a daughter of Taranaki, and I think a national treasure of Aotearoa.’’
Jackson-Paniora also thanked Taranaki for embracing the project. ‘‘It wouldn’t have been as extraordinary as it has been, if it wasn’t for community engagement.’’
The mural was a prominent visual reminder to everyone that te reo was now a national language, Hana’s niece Wairereraki Giffen said.
‘‘My aspiration is that everyone will embrace te reo.’’
Meanwhile, photographer
John Miller’s images of key Ngā Tamatoa moments are on display at the TSB Showplace along with personal memorabilia from members and Hana’s whānau.
Audio recordings of Hana are available at the Puke Ariki Library Listening Posts, while on the Wednesday night a panel of Ngā Tamatoa members shared memories of their challenges and triumphs during the 1970s.
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