Protecting Maori Cultural Property.
At Te Matatini 2015 in Christchurch, I observed a young Maori artist, Amy Patena, from the Hawkes Bay defending her intellectual and cultural property in the booth where she was selling her work. Her signs clearly stated that her work was her own and not Made in China. At the time I was viewing her display, I saw her hurry to the entrance of her stall and bodily block a business couple of Asians with their cameras poised to photograph her works. Amy gestured that no photographs were allowed and the visitors left. Amy’s sign made sense. This is a sad state of affairs where we have to keep a constant eye on who is at our shops. Amy is not yet a Toi Iho artist, but is one who is supporting the kaupapa.


