Unity in Diversity and Diversity in Unity is an opportunity to look critically yet harmoniously, with a hoa / soa / balanced mediation, at the internationally renowned Moana Oceania drawings, by John Webber, expedition artist on Captain James Cook's third and final voyage in 1776 - 1780. Specific focus will be on the Moana Oceania Webber plates that were published as part of the official publication of Cook’s third voyage and representing the five island nations of Aotearoa, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tahiti and Hawai‘i.

“The ‘Unity in Diversity and Diversity in Unity’ project seeks to fill a knowledge gap around some of John Webber’s works by providing the missing multiple Indigenous narratives. This requires embracing different ways of knowing, seeing and doing to bring together, for the first time, a body of Indigenous knowledge and narratives specific to the Webber plates that were part of the official publication of Cook’s third and final voyage.”

Alive was a photography project by Cambodian photographer Kim Hak in partnership with Rei Foundation Limited. It was Lagi-Maama’s first project and the reason that we formally ‘set up’.

“I am so proud to see your work that reflects your professional team efforts and management with tact of this project. This success is due to your cultural respect and participation. You have chosen a difficult path to achieve cross-cultural harmony through inclusion and partnership.”

— Dr Man Hau Liev

Lagi-Maama were honoured to work with “nine” of our Moana Oceania Master creatives on the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Legacy Project. Curated by Lana Lopesi project Editor-in-Chief, it’s a foundational history of Pacific arts in Aotearoa as told from the perspective of the artists who were there.

Together with the Basement Board - “Heart-Hunters” which included Rosabel Tan, Graham Tipene, and Lagi Maama (Toluma’anave Barbara Makuati-Afitu and Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai) took an Indigenous approach which involved members of the Basement team, Basement’s wider whanau, and the board, as part of the decision making process around the new appointment of their Director.

Otintaai was made by master weavers Kaetaeta Watson and Louisa Humphry QSM (supported by their husbands John Watson and Jack Humphry). She is a bespoke garment of several components, made predominantly from harakeke (flax).

Otintaai is Kiribati for sunrise. It is the name given to the female warrior costume created by master iKiribati weavers and makers Kaetaeta and Louisa who share over a century's worth of cultural knowledge and experience.

She is now lovingly at The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

More to come