Rare local film footage screening TONIGHT Tuesday 24 May 

College school boys holding flowers on their way to Sir Apirana's funeral, July 1950. Image: National Library.

​RARE and unique Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision footage of Tairāwhiti whānau between 1919 and the 1980’s will screen at the Lawson Field Theatre tomorrow.
 
Footage includes the welcome home for the Māori Pioneer Battalion (1919); the funeral of Sir Apirana Ngata (1950); the centennial hui of Ringatū church members at Muriwai (1967); Waihīrere Māori Group (1965); and the Governor General Sir Charles Ferguson at Rāhui Marae, Tikitiki (1926).
 
In conjunction with Turanga Health the collection of moving images and audio taonga will bring to life the voice of Tairāwhiti Māori during this time.
 
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (New Zealand Film Archive, Sound Archives, and Television New Zealand Archive)  will screen the films at Turanga Health’s morning Kaumātua Programme, and then again for the public in the evening.
 
Turanga Health’s Kay Robin says Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision staff bringing the footage to Gisborne are interested in identifying more of the people in the moving images.
 
“We hope to fill the theatre. For many it will be a bombardment of memories. For others it will be fascinating look at the way Māori were depicted during the decades.”

Public screening: Tuesday 24 May, 6pm-7.30pm, Lawson Field Theatre. Gold coin donation.
 

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