Matariki concert, gourmet hangi for music therapy

Media release (event) matariki – 1

New Star In Event Constellation
Matariki celebration concert & gourmet hangi for music therapy

Some of the country’s leading musicians and our top ex-pat chef are joining forces to start the season of celebrations of Matariki, the Māori New Year.

Dave Dobbyn, Hollie Smith, Nesian Mystik and Hinewehi Mohi join several other prominent Kiwi musicians and celebrity chef Peter Gordon at Ngaruawahia’s Turangawaewae Marae for the four hour music and food event in May.

Gordon leads a team of chefs preparing a gourmet hangi to be served to the public and VIP guests who include the Māori King, Minister of Maori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Hon Georgina Te Heuheu and local body dignitaries.

Tourism New Zealand has organised a film crew from Canada to attend the special Matariki event billed as Aotearoa’s biggest gourmet hangi and concert.

Matariki is the Māori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters and what is referred to as the traditional Maori New Year.

Funds raised go towards supporting the Auckland-based Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) run by a privately-funded trust to provide music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger.

Singer/songwriter Hinewehi Mohi is a trustee of the centre and she says the event provides a unique opportunity to modernise the traditions of Matariki focusing on Māori traditions, music, food and the sharing of ideas.

“Peter’s menu has a real gourmet touch to the traditional hangi and the music has a strong Māori flavour too. But the event also includes a range of Māori cultural experiences with a back-drop of art and design.”

Included is a huge Manu Aute or Māori kite on loan from the Waikato Museum and designed in the traditional manner by artists Rama Kete, Pita and Karen Te Ngaru and Kirihaehae Kirkwood. NZ artist Tracey Tawhiao is designing the stage backdrop for the event.

More than 600 guests are being catered for at the event. Peter Gordon’s gourmet hangi menu includes marinated pork loin and stuffed pork belly, marinated chicken, whole baby lamb and marinated beef.

He says all the dishes have been devised to add a twist to the usual hangi fare. “I’ve simply added a fusion approach using local ingredients where I can and some Asian spicing as well. It will be very tasty I can assure you.”

Peter Gordon is joined by marae chefs including Anne Thorp, the Māori Queen of Cuisine and star of Kai Ora and the Turangawaewae Marae chief cooks.

The event is hosted by television personality Matai Smith and sponsored by Foodstuffs, Waiwera Water, Allan Scott Wines and Tourism NZ.

This promotion was part of a commission by Maori Television and will be broadcast as a Matariki programme special on the 28th June and 5th July 2009.

Tickets: Adults: $50, children: $20 available through www.rmtc.org.nz or phone 09 369 1839. Includes admission, gourmet hangi by Peter Gordon & concert.

About the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) in Auckland opened on 18 March 2004 and is New Zealand’s only music therapy centre. The centre provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger.

Music therapy is about building bridges of communication through music and actively engaging individuals in potential growth, development and change through the power of music. For many people, music helps reduce a sense of isolation and creates new possibilities for participation in the world and a more creative life.

Funding is always a struggle. To contribute to the cause:
• visit the centre website - www.rmtc.org.nz/donations
• contact the centre direct on 0-9-369 1839 to find out about instrument purchase donations, fundraising events and more.

ENDS

Matariki backgrounder – 1

A SPECIAL MATARIKI EVENT
Featuring Aotearoa’s biggest gourmet hangi and concert

Some of the country’s best known musicians descend on Ngaruawahia in early May to entertain at a gourmet hangi to start the Matariki celebrations, in aid of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.

What: A Special Matariki Event: Gourmet hangi, Music and Cultural displays
When: Powhiri 4pm
Gourmet Hangi & Concert, 5pm to 8pm, Sunday May 10, 2009
Where: Turangawaewae Marae, 29 River Road, Ngaruawahia
Dress code: Smart/Formal
Why: Funds raised go towards supporting the Auckland-based Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) run by a privately-funded trust to provide music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger.
Tickets: Adults: $50, children: $20 available through www.rmtc.org.nz or phone 09 369 1839. Includes admission, gourmet hangi by Peter Gordon & Concert

Host
Matai Smith, television personality

Musical performances
Dave Dobbyn, Hinewehi Mohi, Hollie Smith, Tama Waipara, Whirimako Black, Nesian Mystik, Maisey Rika, Pania Papa, Moana and the Tribe (artist line-up subject to change)

VIPs
King Tuheitia, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Mayor of Ngaruawahia PJ Harris.

Chefs
Internationally renowned chef Peter Gordon and Maori Queen of Cuisine and star of ‘Kai Ora’ Anne Thorp

Menu
New Zealand celebrity chef Peter Gordon has prepared a special delicious gourmet hangi to be served to guests. Items include:
• Pork loin marinated in Thai spices, kawakawa and coconut, wrapped in a banana leaf
• Pork belly stuffed with apples, walnuts and sage, rolled up and tied
• Chickens rubbed with saffron, cumin, Manuka honey and ginger marinade
• Boned legs of mutton marinated in rosemary, garlic, smoked paprika, lemon
• Whole baby lamb - belly stuffed with thyme, basil, garlic, fennel seeds and tomato, then body rubbed with kawakawa and garlic paste
• Beef topside marinated in soy, ginger, garlic and horopito.
Anne is preparing kaimoana entrees of 1,400 surf clams donated by Te Ohu Kaimoana (Aotearora Fisheries Ltd).

Sponsors
Foodstuffs, Waiwera Water, Allan Scott Wines, Tourism NZ and Maori Television.

This promotion is part of a commission by Maori Television and will be broadcasted as a Matariki programme special on 28th June and 5th July 2009.

For more on Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby
Go to: http://www.maoriart.org.nz/profiles/hector_busby

For more on Tracey Tawhiao (NZ artist)
Go to: www.fernergalleries.co.nz/default,430.sm

For more on Matariki
Go to: http://www.taitokerau.co.nz/matariki.htm

About the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) in Auckland opened on 18 March 2004 and is New Zealand’s only music therapy centre. The centre provides music therapy for special needs children of primary school age and younger.

Music therapy is about building bridges of communication through music and actively engaging individuals in potential growth, development and change through the power of music. For many people, music helps reduce a sense of isolation and creates new possibilities for participation in the world and a more creative life.

Funding is always a struggle. To contribute to the cause:
• visit the centre website - www.rmtc.org.nz/donations
• contact the centre direct on 09 369 1839 to find out about instrument purchase donations, fundraising events and more.

Ends

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