Matariki Maori Art Exhibition, Rarotonga

We've got a new New Zealand High Commissioner on the island. Nick Hurley was appointed in April this year, taking over from Joanna Kempkers. He recently hosted the Matariki Maori Art Exhibition, a five day carving and weaving fest by artists from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) based in Rotorua, finishing off work they started in New Zealand.
They were joined by local craftspeople at the outdoor exhibition and visitors were welcome to watch them at work. Many local schoolchildren took advantage of this opportunity. The exhibition took place from 15 to 20 June although the Rarotonga weather played a hand - one day's events had to be cancelled due to heavy and prolonged rain.
Motone Productions organised the logistical side of things and this included a daily free lunchtime concert with local musicians Henz and Destiny, Lincoln Mail and Kura Happ along with visiting NZ funk/soulo diva Bella Kalolo and friends.
More on the exhibition and photos can be found on the Cook Islands News website here:
http://www.cookislandsnews.com/features/entertainment/item/52370-art-celebrates-links-with-aotearoa
http://www.cookislandsnews.com/features/entertainment/item/52490-carving-stronger-links
http://www.cookislandsnews.com/features/entertainment/item/52468-maori-carvers-trade-tools-for-forks-at-hangi
and also on the NZ HiCom Raro Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/nzhccookislands