TOURISM NEW ZEALAND HOSTS MAORI CULTURAL EVENING IN KUALA LUMPUR

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

Tourism New Zealand Hosts Māori Cultural Evening in Malaysia Tourism New Zealand, together with New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, His Excellency David Pine, hosted a New Zealand Tourism Māori Cultural cocktail reception on 26th March. The event also marked the end of “New Zealand Week 2014” in Malaysia; an annual event held to create awareness of New Zealand as a travel, business and cultural destination for Malaysians. Giving the opening speech, Mischa Mannix-Opie, Regional Manager for South & South East Asia for Tourism New Zealand said: “This is the first time we have a Māori cultural theme in Malaysia and we’re very excited to share our exceptional Māori heritage, which is such an integral part of our Kiwi life. We believe it will add a unique and dynamic experience for Malaysian visitors to New Zealand.” During the course of the evening, performers from Te Puia showcased the Kapa Haka; the cultural dance of the Māori people. Te Puia is the living Māori cultural centre of knowledge and excellence for the preservation, presentation, education and growth of traditional expressions of Māori arts, crafts and culture. Also present at the event were CEO of Te Puia, Tim Cossar and Karl Johnstone, Director of New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute who both gave an informative presentation on the Legacy and History of Te Puia, and the cultural development programme of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. The cocktail function was held at The New Zealand High Commissioner’s Residence and is part of a wider event held in Malaysia “New Zealand Week 2014” consisting of a series of events to promote cultural and business ties between New Zealand and Malaysia.  Participants included senior executives of the travel industry, airline partners and media with a variety of activities organised by the High Commission in partnership with Tourism New Zealand (TNZ), New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Education New Zealand and Malaysia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.