About

I grew up in and around the marae; I'm lucky.

Under the protocol of my tribal homeland, I got to experience the transformation that te pae, the zone of demarcation and negotiation has in bridging the dark void to the world of light, the visitors to the local people and, those at home keeping the fires burning to those returning home again.

In creating this work, the transitional domain facilitated by the pae were pou, pillars in my mind and heart. The process required me to ask what makes the pae transformational? What are the tohu, the demarcating signs seen or unseen existing on the pae? How can the pae be carried from one domain to another safely? And if so, what then?

Pae: Maa tau rourou as a title for the work introduces itself as a pae of its own and takes its cue from a tongi, a prophetic vision that states "Naau te rourou, naaku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi." Though its origin is unknown, it is a whakatauki recited by many Mãori and Pakeha people, schools and, organisations. A direct translation of this proverb could be,

"With your food basket, and my food basket, the people will flourish." However, more loosely refers itself to the need for co-operation and a combination of resources for everyone and everything to live and thrive.

Perhaps then, this mahi offers a liminal domain where my food basket and your food basket meet.