The Stuff (25 April 2006) reported recently that moko expert Derek Lardelli has been named the first recipient of a new artist-in-residence programme based near the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Mr Lardelli's talents as a visual artist included multimedia, sculpture, composing, kapa haka and graphic arts. He was a leading tohunga tamoko (moko expert) and taught at Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne.The Stuff (25 April 2006) reported recently that moko expert Derek Lardelli has been named the first recipient of a new artist-in-residence programme based near the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Mr Lardelli's talents as a visual artist included multimedia, sculpture, composing, kapa haka and graphic arts. He was a leading tohunga tamoko (moko expert) and taught at Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne.In 2004, Mr Lardelli received a New Zealand Arts Foundation laureate award. He recently created the motif woven into the Zambesi-designed Air New Zealand uniform. The design would soon be incorporated with the koru on the tail of the Air New Zealand fleet. Mr Lardelli also composed the words and actions for the new haka performed by the All Blacks, and created the design worn by New Zealand's Commonwealth Games athletes.
The artists-in-residence programme, being administered throughCreative New Zealand, would provide the opportunity for New Zealand artists to produce work creating a new perspective on the battle at Gallipoli. "Derek's father fought in the First World War 1n Eygpt and France as part of the 5th Maori contingent that left New Zealand on the 29th of July 1916. Other relations were part of the contingent that fought at Gallipoli."

Derek Lardelli

Thank you to www.tangatawhenua.com for this story