FOR THE LOVE OF KAPA HAKA – POI SWAY by HUKARERE GIRLS COLLEGE
I really should be promoting: forestry, fisheries, farming, fashion, film etc because all my future advertisers are there–but instead let’s celebrate the passion of Kapa Haka (or Maori cultural Glee Club today), for a diverse view in Hollywood.
A celebration of resilient free spirits, all singing in Te Reo Rangatira or The Language of Chiefs. The language is so poetic and pretty.
Here’s the performing art (performed live and living) of the poi ball dance of Hukarere Girls and Te Aute Boys colleges in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Loves.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.26.10~
TE AUTE AND HUKARERE COLLEGES for LIVING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CULTURES SHINING IN THE WORLD
Who: Te Aute Boys High School and Hukarere Maori Girls High School of New Zealand.
What: Performing a Waiata Tira (Traditional Song). Their performing arts genre is called kapa haka.
Why: To perpetuate their unique Indigenous Peoples worldview and language in a modern world.
Their language: Smiles and Te Reo Rangatira (The Language of Chiefs).
Star Draw: Their people have been doing this for centuries in beautiful Middle Earth, Aoteaora New Zealand.
Claim to Fame: Horiwood’s Aunt, “Aunty Waratah of Helensville” was the long-serving matron of Turakina Maori Girls College, a sister school of the Hukarere Girls school, featured here. This song in Hollywood goes up for her and what she believes is possible for all girls and children of Indigenous Peoples cultures in the world if they stay true to themselves and just express that in the world.
This is my Aunt’s life message as reflected in these kids singing. Some of her life’s work on display.
Aspiration: My Aunt is proudly of the Ngapuhi and Ngati Whaatua Maori tribes of New Zealand. Yet, she serves all other Maori tribal leaders childrens’ life’s purpose into the world equally.
She is not tribalist, she’s bigger than that. She’s a global thinker. I love my Aunt a lot for her largeness of heart and purity of spirit. An example for all Maori and Polynesian and Kiwi politicians to emulate perhaps as a take (cultural challenge of leadership) from Hollywood today.
In its purest sense (dating back over a century from NZ), my Aunt’s actions prove she believes in true equality, just like her ancestors believed and taught her. So do I. Hence going to the trouble of creating and sharing this post from The Entertainment Capitol of The World.
Political Point: May we always have the foresight, heart and wisdom to include indigenous peoples at the forefront of everything we do. Their worldviews are diverse and amazing. They look after landscape, people, the human spirit and have a message of preservation always for future generations.
What’s best about these kids: If you talk to any of them, they are all very funny. They have the best sense of humor. Funny kids, naturally.
Personally I like their message a lot. Wisdom as gifts for the world is contained in these young peoples’ culture and thinking. We need it. LOUDER!
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.17.10~
THANKS FOR THE BLOG LOVE PEOPLE!
Today was the biggest growth day on the blog in two months.
Thanks for the mad love everyone. Together, we’re making history.
God bless you all. Thank you.
Let’s rock this, together!
___________________
What I have learned at this point blogging, is that Maori-Kiwis really can live away from whanau (family) iwi (tribe) in the US full time, for 4 and a half years now.
I’ve learned that I love America, more than most people claim they do.
This is a great nation, diverse and beautiful and I feel very privileged and blessed to have been a small part of it, during some very interesting years. As most of you who read the blog are American, “thank you,” have faith in yourself, as many of us (your friends who are non-American) do. We believe in you!
No matter what the day may serve up, may a growing bond never change between you and your allied nations of friends. When you’re down, it us who, within reason, hold your arms up in shared victory. That’s what real friends are for. Kiwis (New Zealanders) are such real people. We don’t quit good people. The victory is not always monetary. A change for you all perhaps in these not always smooth, political years and growing pains. Instead, the victory we share together is a shared world for future generations, beyond temporary moments of instant gratification known as ‘our lifetime.’
On that note, here’s a group of lads, all of whom are perhaps much more noble than me –yet not one has my profile, even though they all should– whose ancestors all raised them to think of their grandchildren’s grandchildren. Here’s some more Maori entertainment from the priceless lads of K2 Maori Company.
Blogging in H-Wood, most days I feel like one of these bros. Not much different to any one them. I believe that not enough Maori men are seen or visible at high profile levels of leadership in the world. Yet the world needs what Maori men know culturally, at this point in world history. Especially in America, hence a motivating reason of why I blog.
Incidentally, most Kiwi kids grew up singing this song. I was about ten? I think, when I first learned it with my siblings, next door neighbors and friends. I still know all the words off by heart. When I was in Hawaii I heard some Hawaiian bros singing this hori jingle too, so it’s a bit of a global hit, worth sharing. Americans… you’re quite surprising people, to know this song. Thank you all for being a part of our diverse view, that includes Maori presence (taste preferences and observations) daily too in Hollywood and America. Mauri ‘Ola - life to you!
Golden couple of the day: Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.14.10~
PRINCE WILLIAM WINDSOR AND KATE MIDDLETON WEDDING GOSSIP
I was thinking while side-stepping my 7th date offer of the week for Saturday via text, not even –that if marriage is down in the UK to the lowest level since 1862 this year (2 in 100 women eligible, married in Britain last year); and if Wales is exactly the same with marriage stats, and America is seeing the lowest marriage rate in the last 100 years–what do we believe about marriage today exactly?
Do we believe marriage has got everything to do with a booming economy?
If so, our grandparents, or their parents or our parents, would never have married, perhaps never have made a commitment to each other–their kids perhaps might never have been born in the great depression and its aftermath effects.
So, if no one’s getting wedded, economies in the world aren’t exactly growing as well as we’d all like about now–what the heck does each day mean to most people? What are we working for each day? To look to a political leader for hope? Miracles? A good joke, to get us through perhaps? That’s always a bonus.
But in the silence of the non-ringing chapel bells, who are we living for and what? The hope that we’re going to turn a magical corner and that thing’s will get a bit better?
Do we believe in love and that irrespective of a dollar sign, or a secure salary we think is acceptable; love is still enough reason to throw a party for your mates and family anyway–everyone pitch in, to see vows exchanged in celebration of a fun, happy day in family life. Nope. Not at this moment.
Just when I was about to pat myself on the back, as a commitment-phobe–that my life wasn’t so bad in light of these new normal statistics, I was robbed of that opportunity of false security, yet again.
Instead, I saw this tabloid cover. A Royal Wedding rumor of Will and Kate.
Look, call me sentimental, but I don’t even care if it’s not true. Tabloid stories like this are needed in the world.
Needless to say, if these kids got married soon–it could well be the wedding of the decade. The lights on the global stage are dimmed so low, they’re ready for a big spectacular romantic wedding spotlight about now. Stars and stripes via The U.K. Why not?
US Weekly Magazine has produced a good magazine cover. Here in America as a contrast, I think Kim Kardashian could give this star couple of the U.K a run for their money, if she ever did walk down the aisle.
Alhtough Kim’s not a royal, her Los Angeles Cinderella reality TV story–would rank right up there in the age of social media-decided stardom.
US Weekly reports royal ‘sources’ as saying: “The couple will announce next year, their wedding date. Will has promised Kate she is ‘the one.’”
Love it.
[This photo - Meanwhile back down on the farm... A kapa haka group wait to perform at Waitangi Day Celebrations]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.11.10~
WAIATA-A-RINGA – CALIFORNIA by TE PIRINGA MAORI CULTURAL GLEE CLUB
What: Waiata-a-ringa cultural arts performance. A W.A.R is an action song of the Maori people of New Zealand.
Genre: Polynesian performing arts. Our Indigenous Peoples, Glee Club.
Group: Te Piringa, New Zealand.
[Image: High Sierra, Trout Fishing Spot, California]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.7.10~
KYLIE’S YELLOW “TAWA SCHOOL” TEE SHIRT
Authentic Kiwi girls don’t come much more fun than Kylie McKenzie.
Here’s girlfriend rocking an original “Tawa School” yellow tee, with two buds. How authentic and sweet is she, not forgetting her roots. I love it.
The occasion: Taika Cohen’s Boy movie, Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Highlight: Question & Answer time with the director at the end of the film, Kylie said: “I just want to thank you for bringing Poi E the song, written by Patea Maori club to America. Back in the early eighties, who ever would have thought it would play at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, all those years ago. But you achieved that with this film.” The song was originally written to save families who had lost jobs from “freezing works” lay offs.
If you grew up bopping to this song, it was a very significant Hollywood momento.
Kylie is such a good Kiwi girl. She says all the right things, to add to a special Hollywood occasion. Oh yeah, and Kylie totally bawled her eyeballs off at a certain part. (Don’t want to spoil it, go see the film).
Thanks Kylie for a fun night. Lyn of Tawa (a comedic character based on a resident of Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand –picture Britney Spears in ten years time, going to get the cheetos in her ugg boots to get the ‘Lyn of Tawa picture and appeal’) would have been so proud of you rocking Tawa School this fine Hollywood Eve. Nice one.
Jeremy (on the L) was born in Whangarei City, went to high school with Kylie in Wellington and has been in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Kiwi’s of LA. The accent is still 100% there. Too funny. Alright, press play to see some Maoris turn on an MJ tribute from the closing credits of Boy.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA.
FROM HOLLYWOOD – ALL BLACKS HAKA, WHANGAREI BOYS HIGH SCHOOL HAKA FOR SONNY BILL WILLIAMS, SAMUEL WHITELOCK AND RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011
“Tatou – Honor Role.”
Rugby News, Hollywood Calif – Ko nga mea katoa e kitea e tou ringa kia mahia, kia puta tou uaua ki te mahi; kahore hoki he mahi, kahore he tikanga, kahore he matauranga, kahore he whakaaro nui i te reinga, i te wahi ka haere atu na koe ki reira. Whatever you set your hands to do, do it with all your might –King Solomon.
We see fideliter. It anchors us consistently. We hold to our school ideal, of serving faithfully–WBHS Fideliter Moniker, School Song.
We are waiting on prophecy–Moana Maniapoto, song: Prophecy
Surrender to the sky. Over snow-mountain shine, upon the upland road, ride easy–James K. Baxter — poet-seer.
With rugby football and haka in hand, we carve our narrative across green of paddock. Our spirit’s dream expressed as talented physicality driving us forward as relentless sporting passion, forming “our rough-hewn story”.–filmmaker Rudall Hayward, The Te Kooti Trail
Kimihia te kahurangi;. ki te piko tōu matenga, ki te maunga teitei. If you bow your head. Let it be only. To a great mountain–Maori proverb of the ancients, a favorite of Ta Witi Ihimaera, author of Pounamu, Pounamu, a literary collection taught at WBHS when I was in high school.
“We have a good story to tell”–Prime Minister John Key
In Hollywood tonight, the City of Angels, (namely me, oh- and Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon rugby fans of Invictus the rugby leadership movie, maybe just a little bit too, & Ye Old King’s Head Tavern rugby supporters in Santa Monica too!) we celebrate the sporting selection of Sonny Bill Williams joining Samuel and George Whitelock in the announced new team of the New Zealand All Blacks for 2010/11.
New Zealand is the host nation in 2011, of the fiercely contested, gladiatorial sporting world’s, elite Rugby World Cup.
Get to it if you can. Awesomery sporting action. Gladiatorial sporting action. The supporters of the sport are one of the most fun aspects of the game of rugby football. Another reason to get there, just be a part of them all. Bloody good people.
As culturally correct, in sending these lads on their haerenga (journey) towards greatness, we celebrate this with the haka of Te Rauparaha, a Chief who overcame death from enemies in hot pursuit of his life. Te Rauparaha took refuge in a kumara (sweet potato) pit, beneath a Chiefly and noble woman who sat above him wearing chiefly woven cloaks that covered her and him. When he arose from the pit unscathed - he celebrated with these words of the haka (Maori warrior’s war dance), an artform of masculine ferocity and cool, an expression of strength of a man’s inner spirit, distinct and indigenous to Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Centuries later, this same haka, is the offiical haka of New Zealand rugby lads.
Two hakas go up to be beamed out today from L.A. The first a haka from All Blacks rugby football sporting history performed before a match against South Africa, the current holders of The William Webb Ellis Cup.
The second haka, is the haka of Ngapuhi school boys in one high school - from the entire school of Whangarei Boys High School, brown and white lads (and fellow awesome redheaded like fire et al Kiwis too) performing in unison in the Maori language, in a city that is in the tribal region of NgapuhiTonuNui, one of my two Maori tribes by blood.
In doing so, WBHS send a challenge throughout all high schools in their nation, to match them and do the same with their ferocity – in unity as a collective school expressing Maori culture, language and heritage arts together with pride as a norm and forefront expression of their identity.
Back in my day, the school haka we wrote and performed under Wiki Harding‘s tutelege when I was the High School Maori Cultural captain, when performed – went on to win that year at the Te Taitokerau High Schools Maori Cultural (Kapa Haka) Festival - A haka that won the cup. Which is why, I’m posting this school’s haka in Hollywood today. It is like prophesy that “the best is yet to come.” This haka featured is a new and updated version. Ka pai. It is good to see culture strong and evolving.
Ngapuhi is the largest Maori tribe by population, in the world. A good effort of leadership from WBHS! Interwoven community strength of participators actively creating and performing culture (like Hollywood movie stars do in film), being the star. Of course WBHS, you’re doing this today. 120+ years of being together as a school, looks good. Mauri Ora from Hollywood. :)
What a fine effort. A reminder that in sport and culture we are all united and are black too in New Zealand. And because we are, I acknowledge, see, affirm, give expression to and visibility to: your ihi, wehi, mana as young men of importance and value as leaders of the modern world in your own right, already. Btw: I am adding all of you lads to Hollywood’s Maori (& Kool Kiwis) Honor Role today. We are on a roll. :)
This image of Horiwood aka Sam Cruickshank (yawn! me – sorry), graduate of Whangarei Boys High School, CR Theology College (woooot!), Te Whare Waanaga a Aotearoa and Auckland University, with Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black to encourage both sporting achievement, entertainment excellence and academic achievement of all young people in New Zealand, on the rugby field and in lecture theater rooms and science labs too and on cultural/ theater stages, on sets and in cinemas. If you endure, dream, find strength within, always look up not down, and believe and give expression to your belief, your voice can be heard in the world too. Even against great odds, as you and Sonny Bill Williams and Samuel W, show as a rugby and haka nation of men who love to perform and entertain.
Good stuff fellahs! Louder - I still can’t quite hear you. :) And – go Rugby World cup players, supporters, followers and entourage of rugby mad babes too, like the smart and sporty Yale Women’s Rugby Team here in the US - for 2011. Kia Kaha Koutou- May great strength be yours.
[Top image - Samuel Whitelock scores a try breaking the tackle from Richard Buckman via Zimbio. All Blacks Rugby Football Team coach Graham Henry rolls out with his latest football appointment, Sonny B Williams, today. Image via Zimbio. Dustin Lance Black and Horiwood appear for Robert Ellis, an author for World Peace in the Middle East. Box office star and Oscar winning Maori-Kiwi-Aussie, Russell Crowe's Hollywood star, Hollywood Walk of Fame, California - The Te-Ika-A-Maui version.]
This post also dedicated to Ngapuhi rugby sporting greats, Zinzan Brooke and brother Robin Brooke of Warkworth; to my family’s childhood friend, world rugby great, Michael Jones and family and extended family of friends and allied Oak Ridge whanau a Whale Pasifika, along with youngsters and entertainers and sporting greats in the making Freedom Kahanui, Oscar Brooke, Louis Henry III, Taylor Thomas Thorp and Bailey Reign.
Universal of California are broadcasting The Rugby World Cup within America, 2011. Go Universal Sports and Warner Bros Studios for promoting rugby football as sporting entertainment in the USA.
When visiting California, Universal CityWalk Theme Park is a great place to visit when in Hollywood.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.18.10~
IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS MUSIC
After the darkness, came light. After light, the word was manifested. Next came rhythm. Followed by music. Soon followed by dance.
And if you’re Maori, harmony was a close friend of dance. Always. The combined elements when shared, is theater.
Ko wai koe Amerika? Who are you? Who are we becoming?
[Maori Performing Arts (Kapa Haka) by Te Piringa - performing a Waiata-a-ringa, or, action song].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHERS AS ARCHITECTS OF CULTURE, 2010′s – $100 MILLION DESIGNATED TO HOUSE DANCE AND ART AS HEALING FOR GROUND ZERO GRIEF
~Thought for today – We should all be taking dance classes already- And one child in every family, should be a disciplined ballet star-2010′s. This is an age of “dance that honors mothers American journeys”~
Let’s face it, Ground Zero is one of those haunting memories akin to Auschwitz. The memories burn in all of our brains from tv screen images.
New York today have found a good cure to help heal wounds of wars scars, from the American psyche at site Ground Zero.
According to the Arts Beat Blog of the New York Times: “A committee of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation on Wednesday recommended that the corporation allocate up to $100 million for the performing arts center planned for ground zero. The money would come from a pool of some $200 million formerly designated for utility companies. At the corporation’s Wednesday board meeting, Kate D. Levin, the New York City cultural affairs commissioner, said the money was important “to fulfill this critical part of the master plan.”
The financing, adds $50 million in federal money already designated to the development corporation.
SPIRIT IS ALWAYS REFLECTED IN BEAUTIFUL SMILES
Here’s Te Piringa - a Maori cultural Glee Club from NZ, with smiles for Africa today. So cool to see Maori perform on an American-Kiwi produced platform, like this humble blog. Live music. A bit different. These beautiful people too, are US. Enjoy.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 9.28.10~
MANA – TE PIRINGA KAPA HAKA GLEE CLUB – SING “AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG” IN MAORI
Ko au, ko koe. Ko koe, ko au. I am you. You are I. One –Cliff Curtis, wedding ring inscription
A smile is your passport to anywhere–Horiwood’s dad.
If you’re happy, you’ll notify your face–Rob Packer, pianist/songwriter, NZ
Te Whare e tu nei, Aue karanga mai–This haus that stands, calls–Kataraina Mataira, songwriter
Ka kata roa tatou, Ka kahanui tatou katoa–In laughter is our unanimous great strength–Horiwood
I’ve showcased their a capella singing talents on this blog before, here they are again. With such beautiful smiles, voices and wearing subtle capes – they are like Polynesian super heroes to me, when looking at them from Hollywood. Te Piringa Kapa Haka (Maori Cultural Glee Club) sing in beautiful harmony together. They sing of gratitude. Some of the lyrics translated in English are these:
“And now, let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich…
With grateful hearts, we (collectively, in unison as one) give thanks”
Culturally rich, beautiful, spiritually and culturally-nuanced entertainment, in harmony and unison. I love these kids. Their message is UP! and so Hollywood Maori groovy. Go Te Piringa. Go Kapa Haka. And go hori entertainers of the world. Fun! These young people have a spirit of gratitude, a rareness of sweetness and diplomacy that is needed for all children today in our times. They embody youthful potential of smiling faces shared with each other as young people, celebrating the unique gift of cummunity. A universal trait that should not be diminished by economics. They are winners, with their sweetness.
It is my belief, that gratitude and celebration of thankfulness, helps paradigm-shift young people from economic lack, leading to depression (robbing life from the young) -but gratitude moves teenagers into a realization that friends, community, family, culture, art and the performance arts together are always a young person’s treasure. No economic grinch or pinch of circumstance can take that away - which is why I share them with you all as worthy Hollywood entertainment today. Go kids!
This one going up for fans of Glee here in the US as reflection of Glee diversity of a nation that is an ally of America. And in support of New Zealand’s very own Hilary Clinton-esque Maori woman politician, Hekia Parata in recognition of her current Mana campaign and what this means for The World.
[Lea Michele and friends of Club Glee take the cover of GQ Magazine. Scandalous! Image via Cover Awards]
Hekia Parata is a person I proudly associate myself to being from New Zealand and a resident of California - in recognition of her potential to further Maori and Polynesian culture, entertainment in the world – as a healing remedy in entertainment and world politics to remind all people, to stop, consider nature, the environment, the earth’s resources, to consider people – regardless of tribe, of race, of ethnicity, to consider Spirit – and to always give thanks in a shared celebration of life. This is her armory as a politician of future significance. When I met Hekia at Kai on the Bay, now Kai in The City of Wellywood, 7 years ago, she sparkled, wearing a large single white diamond, a centre piece gem stone of Africa, worn around her neck.
Mauri ‘Ola from Hollywood. Btw: Hekia can sing like these soloists. I’ve seen her, sing at a dinner table for 15. After dining on seafood bisque and koura as a main (lobster) in Wellywood, Hekia then sung with her friends! An amazing born performer. She can sing and entertain. Hekia this one is for you and Porirua, especially and what this city can give the world from Wellywood. In celebration of Maori, Polynesian, Kiwi kids potential and New Zealand culture of cinema and the Performing Arts to bless the world, this post goes up with a sense of joy and pride in the Entertainment Capitol of The World. ICU.
Did I mention Hekia has the best “hair care” in the world too, naturally. She’s like a government Work Hori In Progress meeting – she can Whip That Hair! like a colorful Willow Smith Snr. She’s all about rocking good hair in politics, like many First Ladies of the Political set are in The World at this minute. Not to name names from the Cameroon or the US, either. Lol! Fun ahead. :)
[This image - Black Paua Torch of Liberty - Black leather, with triple-stitched black cotton on Paua shell (symbolizing, the eyes that see of our ancestors and leaders as carved on every marae wall in "wood" of every Maori tribe, unifying US - for Hekia Parata and leaders who always make you smile. This is their gift as unique politicians. Memorable leaders, born once in a lifetime for such a time as this. Louder!]
~Written in the spirit of Te Rangi Hiroa - Sir Peter Buck from American shores to his friend Sir Apirana Ngata in New Zealand, to strengthen leadership – with the tenderness of Maori Aroha. A reminder that long before we were ever given titles, our ancestors chose us to be here, and our conviction as Indigenous Peoples also bore witness with our breath that breathes richly today in our spoken reo (voices)–of the fact that we always chose ourselves to be taonga of The World and speak Life into eachother’s wairua (spirit) to strengthen, so that all could benefit. Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.20.10~
[Ps: Waiting to win an election sux. It's like waiting for high school exam results, just a little. Here's some Glee paying tribute to a great, Britney Spears, to amuse, while dancing, campaigning and waiting for those results, with a Taylor Lautner reference as a reminder of what Indigenous kids of any culture can achieve, if gym and action star trained and fit - with the right support needed and allocated. Polynesian super heroes are the future of 3D Hollywood and Wellywood action films if given the opportunity to be.]
October 21, 2010 | Categories: America, Art, artist, Britney Spears, Dance, Entertainment Celebrity News, Entertainment News, Glee, Hollywood Entertainment News, Joy, Leadership, Maori, Native American Indians, New York, New Zealand, Politics, Polynesian, Spirit, Taylor Lautner, Te Reo Rangatira, Wellington, Women, World News | Tags: a capella, America, Art, artist, Britney Spears, Commonwealth, Cory Monteith, Dance, Entertainment Distribution, Entertainment News, Environment, Glee, Gratitude, Hekia Parata, Heritage Arts & Culture, Hollywood Entertainment News, Hollywood Maori Kings, Hollywood Today, Hollywood's Maori Honor Role, Hori = Maori, Indigenous Thinking, Joy, Kapa Haka, Lea Michele, Leadership, Mana Electorate, Maori, Maori Filmmaking, Maori Television, Maori Television Service Hollywood, Native American Indians, New York, New Zealand, Politics, Polynesian, Pop Culture Commentary, Porirua City, Sir Peter Buck, Smile Club, Spirit, Sweetness & Diplomacy, Taylor Lautner, Te Rangi Hiroa, Te Reo Rangatira, Wellington, Wellywood, Women, World News | 7 Comments »