About the Group:

The New Zealand Maori Theatre Trust will need little introduction. This is the group which grew from Maori involvement in the 1965 New Zealand Opera Company production of ‘Porgy and Bess’. The Trust was formally constituted in June 1966 ‘to encourage and develop the indigenous culture of New Zealand to a level of sophistication to enable it to be appreciated internationally’. From 1966 to 1970 the Trust struggled against a great deal of apathy, not only on the part of Pakeha art and cultural organisations, but also from amongst those Maori organisations which might have been expected to be its strongest supporters. However, there were some notable successes also. In 1970 came the culmination of a dream for many of the enthusiastic young men who were the leading lights in the Trust. After a rigorous selection and an equally rigorous period of full time training, a world tour company was formed which comprised some of the most talented younger Maori men and women on the contemporary Maori cultural scene. The Tour Company performed overseas in Japan at Expo ‘70 and then carried on to Russia. Hungary and Greece. Unfortunately a continuation of the tour to the United States had to be abandoned. Prior to leaving New Zealand the Company gave several public performances. This recording was of the Company's final New Zealand Concert.

Our record reviewer, Alan Armstrong and his wife, Te Waiehu, are currently living in Bandung, Central Java, Indonesia. Whilst there he will continue to review records for Te Ao Hou as he has done over the past fourteen years from many parts of the world.