Powhiri
Wow. I feel honoured to have experienced this ceremony. All us delegates gathered at the skybridge entry to the convention rooms at the Skytower and were lead in by some Maori women who chanted/sang in very powerful voices. As we walked in the welcoming party began their chant. It was beautiful and even more moving when I realised that the majority of the singers were children. Very nice to see that Maori children (and I presume non-Maori children too) are learning about Maori culture.
I talked with a few of the local librarians about the ceremony afterwards – apparently it can be a lot more formal and take longer. I think we had a somewhat shortened, simplified version, mainly because trhere were so many pakeha in the group.
Master of Ceremony
This is Dr Greg Morgan, who is very tall and very funny. In welcoming us, he called librarianship a “Profession of fabulousity”
Greg told us what the word poropitia means, I think: “joined circles”
LIANZA President Glen Walker
Told us about how much he’s loved libraries and working in libraries all his life.
He reckons librarianship is the “best professional box around because we are always looking outside it”.
He stressed that there is nothing we cannot do if we work together.
Glen urged us all to use our time at the conference to see old friends, share stories and take the opportunity to chance to refresh us, to unwind and to wind ourselves up, and to inspire ourselves.
Glen pointed out that as content makers, content providers, library workers and library suppliers, we are all coexisting in environment of challenges.
He quipped that, given the current economic situation, local content has never seemed cheaper.
2 Comments
Greg is a good egg. He has an excellent sense of humor.
Con, the NZ Maori are a much more powerful and cohesive ethnic group than the Aborigines of Australia. Their culture is strong and likely last for many more generations.
Enjoy the conference, wish I were there with you.
Haere Ra.