To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, Toi Maori Aotearoa is dancing to its own tune and staging a day of activities in Wellington to celebrate and enjoy contemporary Maori music - something not offered in other places.

Garry Nicholas, General Manager at Toi Maori says: "We are proud to bring Pao! Pao! Pao! to Wellington. This musical extravaganza will be fantastic and we know that Wellingtonians will enjoy the unique flavour that these artists bring to the stage.

Image: Hone Tuwhare's words have been taken up
by many New Zealand musicians including Dallas Tamaira.To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, Toi Maori Aotearoa is dancing to its own tune and staging a day of activities in Wellington to celebrate and enjoy contemporary Maori music - something not offered in other places.

Garry Nicholas, General Manager at Toi Maori says: "We are proud to bring Pao! Pao! Pao! to Wellington. This musical extravaganza will be fantastic and we know that Wellingtonians will enjoy the unique flavour that these artists bring to the stage.

Image: Hone Tuwhare's words have been taken up
by many New Zealand musicians including Dallas Tamaira.What's more, the special elements of Pao! Pao! Pao! mean that there is something for everyone: a variety of music genre, exceptional poetry and dance. There is no other event in the New Zealand Music Month line-up that can compare with what we have in store".

Mr Nicholas goes on to say that Pao! Pao! Pao! is part of the lead-up to the August Toi Maori festival of Maori Art in San Francisco, an event that will showcase top artists from weaving and ta moko, to waka paddling and music. "We are thrilled with the international exposure of Maori arts, and Pao! Pao! Pao! is an opportune time to acknowledge the important contribution that some of the leading Maori female musicians have made to that profile on the world stage".

Pao! Pao! Pao! kicks off at the Wellington Town Hall at 1pm with "Wahine in the World". This inaugural component is to honour Moana Maniapoto, Mina Ripia (Wai 100), Whirimako Black and Toni Huata, and mark their success that has stretched to other countries, where their triumphant concerts continue to take their uniquely Maori voices to places beyond Aotearoa New Zealand.

The New Zealand Music Forum 2005 from 2-4.30pm will feature key speakers and workshops for artists wanting to learn more about how to pursue a career in music and dance.

At 5pm we take a behind-the scenes look at Hone Tuwhare, an acclaimed poet, whose words have been taken up by new voices from Goldenhorse to Don McGlashan, Mahinarangi Tocker to Dallas Tamaira, bringing Tuwhare to a new generation of New Zealanders. 'Tuwhare' will cover the development of the album, introduce some of the singer-songwriters who have set their music to Tuwhare's poems, and pay tribute to this amazing New Zealand Icon Artist. Mr Nicholas says: "This special preview to the compilation album which will be officially launched next week is a must for enthusiasts of great music, and lovers of poetry and literature".

Our finale concert features a line-up of some of the best of Maori music and dance talent today including DJ Poroufessor, Moana Maniapoto, Ruia and Ranea Aperahama, Mika and the Plastic Maori, Sista Waitoa, and Whirimako Black, along with some of Wellington's funkiest musicians: Toni Huata, Brannigan Kaa, Wai 100 and Te Kupu.

All activities are open to the public and entry is by donation except for the concert at 7pm which will only cost $10. Door sales only.

PAO! PAO! PAO! Schedule
12-1pm Opening
1-2pm Wahine in the World
2-4.30 New Zealand Music Forum 2005
5-6.15 Tuwhare
7-11pm Pao! Pao! Pao! Concert

www.paopaopao.com

For further enquiries/information, please contact Paula Collins 021 518 518.