Tauranga City Council's Draft Public Arts Policy is already starting to rankle some locals in the first week of its public consultation.
Moana FM announcer Pat Spellman is 'extremely disappointed” by the draft policy and is asking council: why it did not seek direct consultation with local iwi or the Tangata Whenua Collective?
Moana FM announcer and local commentator Pat Spellman is disappointed the Tauranga City Council did not seek Maori input on the Draft Public Arts Policy. Photo: Supplied
The draft policy, which was put out for consultation on Monday, aims to encourage public art which enhances the environment plus contributes to the character and identity of Tauranga.
'It seems to me there is a blatant disregard for any real partnership with council in terms of Te Ao Maori (The Maori World),” says Pat.
'I'm not sure why there is this disregard and it's a question that could be applied to a many things this city council has done in the past and continues to do.
Pat wishes council would come to the table, take a leading stance and 'acknowledge the fact that in 2015 it's probably a great idea to have some cultural component to all policies they put forward”.
'Especially policies that have such a major significant part to play in the future branding of our city, I believe it is very important there is some sort of Maori fabric as part of that branding,” he says.
But the Tauranga City Council is dismissing Pat's assertions saying many of the issues he has raised about the city's cultural identity and brand are beyond the scope of the Draft Public Arts Policy.
TCC policy analyst and corporate planner Melony Atkins says the draft policy is not a branding document.
'It's mostly concerned with creating a clear process for anyone who wants to contribute high quality public art to the city,” says Melony.
'A key aim is that artists will know the criteria that is being used to accept artwork, and who is assessing it.”
Melony explains the draft policy ensures public art is of a high standard and a good environmental fit.
It gives consideration to the environment, history and purpose of the public space it is proposed to be created in.
This proposed criteria includes artistic excellence, innovation, impact and quality, how pieces fit within the environment, each works' durability and maintenance costs, plus accessibility and safety.
Melony says a Public Art Advisory Group is proposed, which will include a tangata whenua representative.
'We are seeking public feedback on the draft so that everyone has an opportunity to tell us if there are areas where they think we don't have it quite right.”
But Pat is 50/50 when it comes to public submissions adequately representing the view, thoughts and wishes of Tauranga Moana Maori.
'I think that's the camouflage which they'll use to protect themselves and also they'll use that as their reasoning behind not having a direct component to the arts policy.”
Pat believes having a Maori component to the draft policy would generate a limitless number of opportunities for Tauranga.
Not only would it bring a point of difference to Tauranga, it could open the city up to numerous tourism opportunities that 'seem to be lacking at the moment”.
He highlights tourists arriving by cruise ship, who once upon land hop on a bus and head straight to Rotorua.
But what really annoys Pat is council using commemorations like pou at Te Ranga and Pukehinahina (Gate Pa) as examples of Maori art used in the city.
'Those are not examples of Maori art, they are examples of progression and commemoration and not to be used in the same sentence as works like the CBD's mosaic prints or an Owen Dippie mural.
'I'm not trying to belittle what's already out there, all I'm saying is that it is quite disrespectful to me as a Maori and Tauranga Moana native people too.”
Pat feels that because Te Ao Maori is 'forever and something that can continue to give” it would be a wonderful component to the arts policy.
Public Consultation on the draft will close on Friday, February 27, at 4pm.
Both Melony and the Tauranga City Council want Tauranga locals to have a read of the policy and let them know what they think.
To view the Tauranga City Council's Draft Public Arts Policy visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz
12 comments
Why
Posted on 07-02-2015 11:23 | By mutley
is special input needed when consultation is available to any interested parties from now until 27 Feb? The only motivation could be to tip the playing field in favour of the Tangata Whenua before the public get a chance to be engaged. Get over yourself Mr Spellman. This is the sort of racial arrogance that so many people detest.
Can understand your frustration Pat but ...
Posted on 07-02-2015 11:25 | By Murray.Guy
Can understand your frustration Pat but ... Tauranga City Council has significant opportunities for local Maori input into policy development, in fact all activities of Council. There is the Tangata Whenua / TCC Committee which has 50/50% representation. There is the Tangata Whenua Collective representative of all local Iwi which meets regularly, there is the Kaumatua Forum and of course a Maori specific Council department, the Takawanega Unit. The Tauranga Moana Tangata Whenua Collective ('the Collective”) is an autonomous body made up of 15 representatives from each of the hapu and iwi in the Tauranga area. Acknowledging Pat's frustration, which I share, he is perhaps venting it in the wrong direction. It is FACT that those structures I have noted are not contributing to anything like their capability and purpose. The Mayor and staff could be encouraging and supporting of these Maori input opportunities to secure more positive outcomes.
Sadly...
Posted on 07-02-2015 12:19 | By penguin
...Spellman is suggesting that Tauranga becomes a separatist city. His comments are contradictory. On one hand he seems to suggest that 'we' should be unified but contradicts that philosophy by demanding that maoridom be given preferential treatment. The point he conveniently (?) overlooks is that the policy group would represent the thoughts and input of the PUBLIC AT LARGE not select groups, no matter what perceived "rights" they may have. Acceding to his 'demands' would then give equal rights to any cultural or community group or thousands of individuals to expect to have automatic representation on any policy-making group. Maoridom has no as-of-right position, nor should they have one. All Spellman is doing is supporting a form of racism.
Not Again
Posted on 07-02-2015 14:15 | By Jitter
So Pat Spellman wants the Tauranga Maori community/ratepayers to be treated separately from all others? As rate payers they have exactly the same opportunity to voice their opinions on the public art policy as everyone else. Why should they be consulted separately ? At last TCC have spoken up and dismissed Spellman's ridiculous assertions.
Wisechief
Posted on 07-02-2015 17:32 | By Wise Chief
Pat don't waste your precious gems upon council swine who we all know are better than us local Maori's when deciding what art is and who they should fund using tax-rate payer money.Lets just leave well alone for these arrogant members of the superior species the pale crew and other imported supporters for which the tourist who come here crave in droves & thus catching buses to Rotorua. Obviously local pale crew have something unique in their local culture which is admired and wondered at with such awe and curiosity as to entice them to spend fortunes to come to Tauranga, Mount to see. Be really nice if such tourist could be welcomed with English rendition of God Defend NZ when alighting ship. Now that would be memorable & enough to sell trinkets made by local pale crew pensioners & not Maori as few make 65. Wonder WHY?
Spellman is way off key
Posted on 07-02-2015 20:29 | By Pamaxx
The TCC Draft public Arts council meetings were widely advertised and a broad mixture of citizens, including Maori attended and were heard. I suggest Moana FM announcer Pat Spellman take a leaf out of (singer) Michael Jackson's song and "take a look at the Man in the Mirror". Max Lewis, Mt Maunganui
Input
Posted on 07-02-2015 20:46 | By surfsup
Yet again it would appear that the resources are there for Maori to input thoughts etc but according to Murray Guy yet again they can't be bothered. At some stage the 'personal responsibility" tag will surely kick in unless this will become another area tainted by the well worn phrase of it's not our fault but the nasty pakeha.
Sick of it
Posted on 08-02-2015 13:02 | By coffeeguy1977
Everywhere else in the world this kind of rubbish is called Separatism and it's generally the majority trying to push the minorities out of the picture, but this case here in NZ it is almost becoming a daily event in the news with Maori demanding access to the current system but also wanting their own completely separate system as well, it doesn't work, you have one or the other, you can't pick and choose depending on what ever you feel you are entitled to on that given day, get over it and live in the real world Pat, it doesn't look like it would hurt you to get off your butt and go to the group meeting like everyone else has to..
Plenty of Opportunities
Posted on 08-02-2015 16:49 | By carpedeum
Dont know who this Pat Spelman is- as I dont listen to his radio station-however- I saw the advertising from TCC around public havng input- went to the meeting- and "had my say". Was very impressed with the process and the Council staff, and the way it was presented .listened to and recorded.Please stop whinging- and take the opportuniies presented to us all- evn if it take a bit of effort on your part.
This sort of BS
Posted on 08-02-2015 19:58 | By s83cruiser
makes me want to puke. If it was a European making this sort of accusation with regards to something like this he would be branded RACIST. Why has Sunmedia even bother to give this sort of subversive stirring any media time makes me shake my head in wonder. If Mr. Spellman is that concerned about the whole thing I would expect to see a full submission from him being tabled with regard to this matter rather than going to the press about it.
@Wise Chief
Posted on 09-02-2015 09:38 | By penguin
When you are able to write coherent, sensible, meaningful and informed dissertations, it might be worth your while expressing your thoughts. Unfortunately, all you seem to be able to do is write drivel that reflects a very deep-seated antagonism, sarcasm and anger which makes little sense. You overlook the fact that your offensive comments contradict the message that you may be attempting to get across and add strength to those who you rile against!
Consultation?
Posted on 09-02-2015 17:40 | By YOGI BEAR
That actually means, we have already decided what to do and we are just trying to be nice (not really) and let you know what we have already decided to do.
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