Transcript Slide 1

In support of cultural participation
Spencer – A Case Study
Sabbatical Report, Bruce Pagan, July 2009
It’s just comforting – it feels normal to be here.
(Italics are Spencers words)
It’s like a second home – it’s pretty much ok – I can do
anything here.
The whole marae just runs through our family – my
ancestors founded this marae.
They all did special things for our people like building the
marae, signing the Treaty and helping the people out.
At first I didn’t know much about carving and dad
introduced Uncle Cliff to me (Cliff Whiting).
At first I wasn’t into it – then Dad asked me to sweep up –
then I was allowed to draw the lines for cutting the wood.
Then Uncle Cliff began to show me some carving
techniques like drawing and carving a face.
Cliff recognised that I was interested – I didn’t go away
even when I was sweeping up.
Then he showed me a few tips now and then and he let me
start on some of the big projects.
When he stays here he gives us overnight sessions like
reading and learning about Te Reo and then he tells us
stories.
We have to tell it back to him to make sure we are
listening to him.
It’s fun to carve with him and it reminds me how lucky I
am – my Mum’s Koro (Mum’s Dad) waited about 40 years
till he could work with a master carver.
Cliff is one of the real master carvers in NZ and it’s a
pleasure and a real honour to carve with him.
Cliff gives me the opportunity to show people about
everything and I am able to tell people about the stories
that go with each carving.
Working with Cliff and listening to him teaches me heaps.
I can see how he looks at things and how he can change
things as he goes on.
And I acknowledge the
qualities that we
recognise and have
watched being
developed in Spencer –
the ability to listen; to
make informed
decisions; to synthesise
information from
various sources in a
mature and logical
manner . . . .
Skills of personal
integrity . . . .
of honesty
compassion
and respectfulness . . .
of a mature and confident young man who has
benefited immensely from an active and positive
participation in significant cultural activities . . . .
. . . who is prepared for the future.
©Bruce Pagan, 32 Hastings Street, Kaikoura 2009