Is “mainstream media” in Aotearoa culturally aware? Are cultural plans being implemented authentically within these media organisations? Or is being culturally competent just become a box ticking exercise? Let’s find out shall we. Meet Auraki - our AR cultural accountant. Auraki will challenge some of the biggest media organisations in the country , via a digital art demonstration that we warmly ask them to be a part of. The wero will consist of Auraki waiting outside these select organisations buildings to be invited in . If let in we will leave this art piece inside the whare to better learn from the environment and the people who work in these spaces. Auraki will then potentially offer some creative tools and kōrero to help manaaki their staff in terms of having a better understanding of te Ao Māori and why being more culturally aware benefits everyone in the long run . This is not to censor their mahi only to manaaki them around our world and why we think the way we do. The Hori Label was created in 2012 and since then has been the centre of much artistic and social debate. It was developed in order to draw attention to significant issues in Aotearoa that I feel close to. The goal is to create awareness and to open up difficult conversations about difficult and often taboo subjects. Like our nations Haka, Hori looks to challenge people’s views even when it may not seem politically correct to do so.
