Christine Smith, of Auckland, QSM and Ida White, of Auckland, QSM, for services to Māori art
Christine Smith is an expert weaver. She leads the korowai group Whiri Aroha at Papakura Marae in Auckland, teaching students how to weave contemporary korowai using traditional Māori methods and modern materials. The classes are offered at a very low cost and have seen hundreds of students attend. The group provides small korowai to families who have lost a child at birth at Middlemore Hospital. Ms Smith’s classes have seen an increase in the number of weavers in the local community, and she has spread awareness of korowai weaving in New Zealand and spent time teaching in Western Australia.
Ida White is a kaiāwhina (assistant) with expert weaver Christine Smith at the Whiri Aroha korowai group at Papakura Marae. This is a voluntary role where Mrs White supports and guides tauira (students) to learn to weave a contemporary korowai, using traditional Māori methods and modern materials. The classes are offered at very low cost and have seen hundreds of students of all ages attend. Her assistance has facilitated a surge in the numbers of people weaving in New Zealand. Mrs White has also spent time in Western Australia teaching local Māori weaving practices.