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On Sunday March the 8th 1998 at Aucklands Power Station a special Fundraising concert was held. The Concert called THE MOKOMOKAI benefit attracted the support and performances of some of New Zealands premier artists. The Artists bill was a who's who' of Maori performers including the entire stable of TANGATA RECORDS The concert raised several thousand dollars towards the work of the Mokomokai Education Trust. The Media interest and support for the concert and Dalvanius Trip to the American Museum Of Natural History in New York was huge. New Zealands No1 Radio station MAI FM promoted the Concert and TVNZ Maori programmes filmed concert highlights.  There are over 50 preserved Maori heads (Mokomokai) kept in American Museums and institutions. It is time for negotiations to commence for their return to their native New Zealand. The late Maui Pomare spent over twenty years of his life repatriating thirty-nine Mokomokai from British and European Museums - these are currently kept in a specially consecrated Urupa at Te Papa Tongarewa. Ethnomusicologist Maui Dalvanius Prime, the Director of a documentary about the late Mr. Pomare's lifetime work, has now taken on the mantle of his late mentor, at the request of his widow, son and daughter and his tribal elders. In 1985, Maui Dalvanius Prime visited the Museum of Natural History, New York and saw, for the first time, thirty-nine preserved Maori heads which were sold to the Museum by his English ancestor, Horatio Gordon Robley. Robley, a British soldier, who fought at the Gate Pa war in Tauranga, had a relationship with a Maori woman from Maketu. They had a son, Hamiora Tu, who in turn had a daughter, who then had three daughters who are currently living in Tauranga and Wanganui. At the invitation of his Aunties and elders, Dalvanius has been instructed to commence negotiations for their great grandfather's collection to be repatriated to New Zealand. The initial meeting was scheduled for July 1998. The Museum has since rescheduled this date and brought it forward to the week commencing the 10th of March. While in New York, more footage will be shot for Dalvanius' 3 hour documentary "Mokomokai" and data and more research gathered for his book, titled "Mokomokai". Due to the short notice, this special fundraising concert has been scheduled. Artists who performed were: Dalvanius Moana Ardijah Swab Click Teina's Band Reggae band Seedless Tere Moana Rapley Emma Paki Marvielle Damn Native to name a few... It is hoped several more renowned Kiwi rock icons will join the line-up. Dalvanius, in a special press release released today, says the money will be spent on expenses, legal solicitor's fees and the film crew to document the visit. Dalvanius, a director of Mokomokai Productions, and the Mokomokai Trust said the concert "is the first of three planned events." Besides the 50 Mokomokai in known institutions, it is also estimated there are over 60 more in private collections throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. Why should Dalvanius go and negotiate their return? "Because," he answers, "I can Whakapapa to the Robley heads, and to heads held in Washington DC and Los Angeles." The singer, who has had several hui with the Hawaiian sovereignty group Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawaii Nei, has been invited to address a special United Nations hui on the repatriation of indigenous remains back to source cultures. He will also be visiting Washington DC where a scheduled meeting with Congressman Jesse Jackson JR will take place. This will be THE ONLY press release pertaining to his United States Tour, as all media access to the hui has been banned at the request of his American host. Dalvanius has asked all press to refrain from contacting his hosts. "I do not want another 'Sotheby's Mere' situation, where people contact the Americans, who then could possibly put a financial worth on the remains of our ancestors." As his meetings are purely preliminary, and no formal agreements have been made, the singer feels any media interference or curiosity could jeopardise the dialogue he already has. "The Americans don't have to give these heads back, " said Dalvanius to Mana Maori News and Te Karere, "they were purchased, quite legally, back in the early 1800s." The money from the concerts will also be spent on expenses to London and Vienna where Mokomokai directly associated to the singer's Tainui, Tuwharetoa, Ngarauru and Ngati Ruanui links are held. Should the American negotiations be successful, similar concerts will be held in London and Germany. A benefit album, featuring the cream of New Zealand's rock and ethnic musicians, is planned with track listings currently being finalised. While in New York the singer will be visiting Warner Music International to discuss a distribution deal. With only seven days to go we are proud Mai FM will be promoting the concert. Former Governor General Sir Paul Reeves and Lady Reeves are the Patrons of the Mokomokai Trust.  |