Film screening: The HeART of the Matter

Join us in celebrating Luit Bieringa’s documentary 'The heART of the matter', featuring several of the artists currently on show in Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art.

About The Film
The documentary traces some of the most remarkable shifts in educational philosophy New Zealand has ever experienced, under the leadership of the legendary Director General of education Clarence Beeby. We meet the army of men and women who worked to establish a bicultural and arts-centred education system.

Gordon Tovey, national supervisor of arts and crafts, with his team of artists and art specialists, ensured that the aspects of Māori art such as kōwhaiwhai, kapa haka and waiata had a central place in our mainstream classrooms, through in-depth consultation with Ngāti Porou kaumātua Pine Taiapa.

Replete with archival interviews and little-seen footage, this film is likely to transport any Kiwi-educated boomer back to school. However, its richly-storied excavation of the past is as clearly pointed towards the future as once were its public-servant heroes.

‘Titiro whakamuri, kia anga tika mua ai te haere’
Referencing the past, helps prepare you for the future.
– TOI MĀORI

Come early to grab a seat.

Running time: 89 minutes, to be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.

Image credit: Gordon Tovey and students in the north. Image courtesy of Jan and Luit Bieringa.