Melanesia Day a rip-roaring success

Pataka enjoyed hosting the Melanesian community on Saturday 27 April with a cultural celebration of this unique and vibrant part of the Pacific.

We enjoyed tasting Melanesian kai, sipping kava from Vanuatu, tring to speak Pidjin languages and seeing the many stunning performances including the Asaro Mudmen from Papua New Guinea. What a great day!

Ancey Wamiri from Papua New Guinea said:
“You have really allowed us, Melanesia to share our culture and ourselves with New Zealand, an opportunity that has been the first of its kind I believe. Thank you so much, and I for one, look forward to more events/celebrations like this!”

Thanks to the Melanesian communities for making this a very special and memorable day that was enjoyed by many Pataka visitors.

A big thanks to Niki Hastings-McFall for her beautiful lei installation in Pataka’s spine (completed on Waitangi Day), which is being enjoyed by the public and Pataka staff alike. Niki was the first artist selected for the ‘Friends of Pataka 2013 Artist Residency,’ which coincided with the opening of her exhibition In flyte, on until 16 June 2013. It gave Niki the chance to complete a new work within the gallery and interact with the public, while constructing her lei installation for Pataka’s spine area.

Thanks to all those who came to the opening of Niki Hastings-McFall’s In flyte exhibition and Ben Bohane’s The Black Islands - Spirit and War in Melanesia exhibition at Pataka on Sunday, especially on a hot day and with the Sevens on. For those interested in hearing Ben Bohane talk about his work and experiences in Melanesia, go to Radio NZ’s website to hear his ‘Nine till Noon’ interview: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2545441/feature-guest-ben-bohane

Image: (above) Christina Jeffery (Trust Manager for Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust) and artist Niki Hastings-McFall.

Kay Paget’s artwork (showing in Bottle Creek Gallery at Pataka) caught the attention of one admirer who just wouldn’t leave it alone. Nice work Kay.

Friends of Pataka Arts Award 2013. Download entry form here:
Friends of Pataka Arts Award 2013_Entry form