Unveiling of the Future of St Helier Hoarding /  by Martin Toft

Please come along to the unveiling tomorrow at 12:00 noon of the Future of St Helier Hoarding at the International Finance Centre on the Esplanade in St Helier. First published as a 52 page newspaper supplement in September by the Jersey Evening Post the work produced by A-Level Photography students at Hautlieu School have been transformed into a 34m outdoor installation as part of Masterplan Community Arts and Education Project 

Students were challenged with responding to specific areas, streets and neighbourhoods divided up along the urban vingtaines of St Helier and to explore through research, archives and photography the built-environment, urban living, diverse communities, town planning, land use and re-generation projects.

We thank all sponsors and collaborators for making this a successful contribution to the island's cultural records and historic archives Jersey Development Company, Camerons Ltd, MJP Architects, Archisle, Lewis Bush, Photo-Archive Societe-Jersiaise, Kevin Pilley, States of Jersey and Connétable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft #futureofsthelier18, #masterplan

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Blessing of Te ahi Kā in Auckland /  by Martin Toft

Finally Te Ahi Kā has reached the shores of New Zealand and yesterday the books were blessed in a special Māori ceremony in Auckland. Such an honour and privilege to be part of this special journey that began in 1996 when we returned home to the ancestral homeland of Mangapapapa.

I like to acknowledge all tangata whenua who welcomed me onto their land and taught me about the ancestral ways of their old people, especially Te Whanau O Tieke and Te Whanau O Mangapapapa, Ngā Uri O Tamahaki. My sincere gratitude to the Trustees of Te Wananga O Mangapapapa Trust in their support, especially Anahera whose input has been invaluable and to my elders Hokio Te-Rangi, Tawhero and Tukaiora – tēnā koutou katoa.

A personal thanks to book designer Ania Nałęcka-Milach and Rafał Milachfor their help in shaping this project into a book. Publishers Dewi Lewis and Peter Dowling from Oratia Media for their support and work in distributing the book to a wider audience around the world. Very proud of my step-daughter Indra-Kaye Staunton and partner Callum who travelled from Jersey and spoke on my behalf at the blessing.

Dedicated to the memory of Paiki Johnson. 

‘Always walk with the cautiousness of the Pūkeko at your feet. Express your being with the joy and unpredictableness of the Tīwaiwaka. Speak your truth with the wisdom and stillness like the Ruru. Be strong and direct like the Tūī. Hold on to your higher-self for you are like the Huia. Be observant like the Hokio-ite-Rangi.’

The book is published with financial support from Creative New Zealand, New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and Te Mana O Te Awa Grant administered by Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui

For copies of the book in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific visit Oratia Media here https://www.oratia.co.nz/product/te-ahi-ka/

Anywhere else in the world please visit Dewi Lewis Publishing here https://www.dewilewis.com/…/te-ahi-ka-the-fires-of-occupati…

Interview with BBC Radio Jersey /  by Martin Toft

Jersey friends and folk, if you are in St Helier tomorrow evening please come down to CCA Galleries International between 5:30-7:00 pm for the Jersey launch of Te Ahi Kā. You will be greeted with a warm welcome, Māori blessing and a glass of mulled wine. Books signings will follow afterwards and an opportunity to purchase limited edition prints from the project too. Earlier today I spoke with James Hand on radio at BBC Jersey (around 01:42 into his programme) 



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Special book launch at CCA Galleries International /  by Martin Toft

We are having a Jersey launch of my new book Te Ahi Kā – The Fires of Occupation on Thursday 22 Nov 5:30-7:00 pm at the CCA Galleries International, 10 Hill St, St Helier, Jersey.

The launch will include a Māori blessing and a reading from the book at 6 pm and will be held in a festive spirit served with Danish gluhwein.

All editions of the book, including trade, special and collector’s editions will be available for purchase.

In addition, a set of 4 Limited Edition prints and framed prints, including an unpublished triptych from the project will be on sale too.

This event is for family and friends or anybody wishing to learn more about Māori culture and their unique relationship with nature, ancestors and spirituality.

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