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Selwyn Muru: A Life's Work


  • New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata Shed 11, 60 Lady Elizabeth Lane Wellington New Zealand (map)

Senior Māori artist Selwyn Muru (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāti Muri Kahara, Ngāti Rehia, Te Whakatōhea) was once described as one of the most original Māori thinkers of his time.

This exhibition affirms his pioneering legacy and leadership across multiple fields of activity – as a visual artist, broadcaster, playwright and social commentator, an actor, professional musician, orator, teacher, and tribal repository of knowledge.

Presenting many artworks never shown publicly before, this exhibition includes paintings and drawings alongside documentary photography, audio and video.

Curated by Moana Nepia


Interviews by Selwyn Muru:

Selwyn Muru interviews poet Hone Tuwhare for Koha (1981):

Watch

Selwyn Muru interviews Whina Cooper for Koha (1983):

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Selwyn Muru interviews Peter Jemison (Iroquois Seneca) and John Kaahu (Tuhoe) atTe Māori exhibition for Koha (1984):

watch

Documentaries for radio by Selwyn Muru:

Selwyn Muru introduces round table discussion of young Māori at 1YA, Auckland (1971):

listen

Selwyn Muru talks with Dick Scott and Matarena Raumati Tau about Parihaka (1975):

listen

Selwyn Muru discusses Polynesian migration, visa overstayers and dawn raids (1976):

Listen

Selwyn Muru interviews Joe Hawke about Bastion Point (1977):

Listen

Documentaries on Selwyn Muru:

Waka Huia: Selwyn Muru (2012):

watch Part One
Watch Part two

Kōrero Tuku Iho: Selwyn Murupaenga (2022):

Watch

Directed by Selwyn Muru:

Into Antiquity: A Memory of the Māori Moko (1972):

Watch

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Later Event: 15 December
Authors of Aotearoa