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Luit Bieringa's richly archived documentary examines the legacy of Gordon Tovey and the post-war education programmes that put art, artists, and Māori arts in particular, into the New Zealand classroom. Under the leadership of a legendary director general of education, Clarence Beeby, the years immediately after World War II saw the most remarkable shifts in educational philosophy New Zealand had ever experienced. Luit Bieringa's documentary traces those changes and the army of men and women who worked to establish a thoroughly bicultural and arts-centred education system. Gordon Tovey, national supervisor of arts and crafts, and his team of artists and art specialists fostered the lively and colourful classrooms that New Zealand is familiar with today, in stark contrast to the rote-learning environments preceding them. Contributing art specialists included Cliff Whiting, Para Matchitt and Ralph Hotere. Critically, they ensured that aspects of Māori art such as kōwhaiwhai, kapa haka and waiata had a central place in our mainstream classrooms through in-depth consultation with Ngāti Porou kaumātua Pine Taiapa. Replete with archival interviews and little-seen footage, this film is likely to transport any Kiwi-educated boomer back to school, but its richly storied excavation of the past is as clearly pointed towards the future as once were its public-servant heroes.

Primary Title
  • The Heart of the Matter
Date Broadcast
  • Tuesday 4 July 2017
Release Year
  • 2016
Start Time
  • 20 : 30
Finish Time
  • 22 : 10
Duration
  • 100:00
Channel
  • Maori Television
Broadcaster
  • Maori Television Service
Programme Description
  • Luit Bieringa's richly archived documentary examines the legacy of Gordon Tovey and the post-war education programmes that put art, artists, and Māori arts in particular, into the New Zealand classroom. Under the leadership of a legendary director general of education, Clarence Beeby, the years immediately after World War II saw the most remarkable shifts in educational philosophy New Zealand had ever experienced. Luit Bieringa's documentary traces those changes and the army of men and women who worked to establish a thoroughly bicultural and arts-centred education system. Gordon Tovey, national supervisor of arts and crafts, and his team of artists and art specialists fostered the lively and colourful classrooms that New Zealand is familiar with today, in stark contrast to the rote-learning environments preceding them. Contributing art specialists included Cliff Whiting, Para Matchitt and Ralph Hotere. Critically, they ensured that aspects of Māori art such as kōwhaiwhai, kapa haka and waiata had a central place in our mainstream classrooms through in-depth consultation with Ngāti Porou kaumātua Pine Taiapa. Replete with archival interviews and little-seen footage, this film is likely to transport any Kiwi-educated boomer back to school, but its richly storied excavation of the past is as clearly pointed towards the future as once were its public-servant heroes.
Classification
  • G
Owning Collection
  • TV & Radio
Broadcast Platform
  • Television
Languages
  • English
  • Maori
Captions
Live Broadcast
  • No
Rights Statement
  • Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
  • Tovey, Gordon
  • Education--New Zealand--Philosophy
  • Arts in education--New Zealand--History
  • Arts, Maori--Influence
  • Mahi toi
  • Mātauranga
  • Documentary films--New Zealand
Genres
  • Art
  • Arts/crafts
  • Community
  • Documentary
  • Educational
Contributors
  • Luit Bieringa (Director)
  • Jan Bieringa (Producer)
  • John Chrisstoffels (Cameraperson)
  • Davorin Fahn (Cameraperson)
  • Greg Jennings (Cameraperson)
  • John Irwin (Cameraperson)
  • Tony Hiles (Cameraperson)
  • Annie Collins (Editor)
  • Angela Boyd (Editor)
  • Warren Maxwell (Composer)
  • Blair Wakefield Productions (Production Unit)
  • Stout Trust (Funder)
  • Creative New Zealand (Funder)
  • Govett Brewster Art Gallery (Funder)
  • Massey University College of Creative Arts (Funder)
  • New Zealand Film Commission (Funder)
  • 99264889209002091 (MMS ID)
Subjects
  • Tovey, Gordon
  • Education--New Zealand--Philosophy
  • Arts in education--New Zealand--History
  • Arts, Maori--Influence
  • Mahi toi
  • Mātauranga
  • Documentary films--New Zealand