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GIMAC News
Glen Innes Music and Arts Centre
Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Talofa,
Malo e lelei, Bula, Namaste,
greetings.
Welcome to the third issue
of GIMAC News.
This month we:
• Reveal the meaning and
origin of Te Oro (the new name for our wonderful music and arts centre)
• Profile Te Oro’s new facility manager Jenni Heka, who
brings a wealth of experience to the vital role
• Provide a sneak preview of what is planned for the
official opening day.
Our music and arts centre has been eagerly anticipated within
our community for more than 20 years. Accordingly, it’s
hard to believe that we are now on the verge of the centre’s
operational opening in April and the official public opening
in May.
On March 23, we will launch Te Oro’s online presence and a
new website and facebook page will keep you up to date with
the centre’s news and the programmes on offer.
The Hawkins construction team is putting the finishing
touches to the building, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone
into the facility at the beginning of May.
Until then,
Simon Randall
Chair
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board.
GIMAC is now Te Oro
It is with huge pride that we announce the official name
of the Glen Innes Music and Arts Centre: Te Oro.
The name Te Oro has been gifted to the centre by Ngāti
Paoa with the endorsement of Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki and
Ngāti Whatua Orakei.
‘Oro’ is the tonal reverberation or sound within a
chamber. Maungarei (Mt Wellington), in its natural state,
would contribute this low drone created by the winds
moving over its volcanic crater. This natural phenomenon
existed before the migration of waka landing in the
Tamaki Makaurau region.
The name acknowledges how the sounds of nature
connect people and place with the past, present and
future. Metaphorically, it reflects the voices of the local
community and the creation of music and arts that will
flow from the centre to the surrounding areas.
Local iwi also contributed to the visual expression of
Te Oro, draws its inspiration from the art of tukutuku a traditional process of weaving patterned, lattice panels.
The physical process of creating tukutuku, as well as the
act of binding, coming together and the reciprocity of
two people working together, reflects the vision and goals
established in the community charter for the centre.
Tapa Toru, the repeated triangular pattern used in
Te Oro’s typeface, is a reference to Maungarei – Mt
Wellington. The pattern visually reverberates to both the
past and the future.
BC4457
Issue 3: March 2015
BC4457
Te Oro website live from 23 March
From 23 March, go to teoro.org.nz for information
on booking activities or hiring spaces, to message or
blog with us, and to find out more about our people
and partners.
would like to thank everyone for their support and
patience as we have brought this community dream to
life. We hope you enjoy using this space as much as we
have enjoyed building it.
If you are one of the many people who have liked our
GIMAC facebook page you will notice a change to the
page’s look and feel as we adopt our new name and
typeface in the lead up to the opening. New visitors will
be able to find us at facebook.com/teorogleninnes - let
us know what you think and remember to keep telling
us your ideas about what you want to see and do at
Te Oro.
Jenni Heka
Introducing Jenni Heka
Artist impression of centre
The Royal Family dance crew
Come one, come all to the Te Oro opening
Te Oro will be opening to the public with a day of
entertainment and activities on Saturday, 9 May – put
it in your diaries now. There will be music, performances,
food stalls and of course the opportunity to see inside this
wonderful facility.
Come and celebrate with us – we look forward to seeing
you there.
Construction update
Local resident, Jenni Heka is Te Oro’s recently
appointed Facility Manager. With 15 years experience
in theatre, festivals, television, film and museums, Jenni
credits her career in the arts to the people who have
mentored her and personal determination.
“It was my drama teacher at Glendowie College who
first inspired me to consider arts as a career,” says Jenni.
“After that it came down to determination, and
when I finished college I enrolled at South Seas Film
and Television School. This gave me a grounding in
directing, writing, producing and acting - skills that
I’ve used throughout my career.”
Jenni proudly produced the successful national and
international tour of The Brave for Massive Company,
and it was at Massive that she saw the passion and
talent that young people bring to the arts.
The project is now in its final phase with the last panels
being installed to the outside of the building and all other
external work mostly completed. There will still be a hive
of activity in and around the building though with the
interior fit out, bathrooms and flooring to be done and the
car park to be resurfaced.
“They were fearless in what they wanted to say and
they had fun doing it. It showed me how crucial it is
for young people to have a way of expressing what is
important to them, and the need for them to develop
confidence so they can create work that resonates
with others.
Interior work includes finishing the performance space,
music rooms, digital editing suite and the dance studio as
well as the entrance way and offices.
“Te Oro gives our local young people the opportunity
to express themselves and explore possible ways
of developing a career in the arts world, which is
something I am extremely passionate about.”
The car park works have recently started and will include
installing paths around the new building, landscaping and
planting. Limited parking spaces will be available to the
public during these works. We have widely publicised these
works and apologise for any inconvenience over the next
few weeks.
All things going according to plan, we are expecting to
hand the building over to Council on Tuesday, 24 March.
This project has been phenomenal. The Hawkins team
Above everything else though, Jenni says to succeed in
the arts you need to love what you do.
“Your belly needs to burn with the passion. I look
forward to igniting that fire in our young people giving
them the best possible chance to reach their full
potential,” says Jenni.
Jenni is looking forward to meeting more of the local
community and will be based at Te Oro from mid-April.
Find out more: phone 09 301 0101 or visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz