Flights of Fancy: birds, our taonga, through music, image and storytelling

From cuckoos and tūī to the long-lost moa and pouākai, Orchestras Central’s latest programme took us on a sonic journey across centuries and skies. Blending science, storytelling, and music, Flights of Fancy invited us to experience how birds inspire composers—and remind us of both the beauty we still have and the voices we’ve already lost.

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Te Waonui a Tāne: Learning how to build a forest

Waiheke Island was once filled with lush forests, but they were laid to waste through colonisation. Ongoing restoration has transformed the island. The Understory exhibition and Te Wao Nui o Tane installation, combine ecological restoration with art workshops aimed at engaging the community. Participants explore native flora and develop artistic interpretations for an upcoming exhibition.

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KŌRERO MAI, KŌRERO ATU: Exploring oral history at the NOHANZ conference (Part 1)  

The recent oral history conference highlighted diverse methodologies and ethical considerations in conducting interviews. It explored culturally sensitive approaches and the significance of introspective and community-driven narratives. Presenters emphasized the importance of connection, subjectivity, and the responsibilities interviewers hold in navigating sensitive topics while preserving individual memories and histories.

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