By Shark Nett Gallery

01/17/2011 Poutama Newsletter September 2009 Shark Nett Gallery Business Excellence Awards Multi Kai Cooker in Chrisco Catalogue High Praise for Gisborne’s Inbound Tour Operators Council (ITOC) Conference Getting to know Poutama - Business Advisor, Vonese Walker Air New Zealand Service Boosts Tourism 2009 $Unlimited Investment Challenge Poutama Had Moved First Aid for Workplaces Contacts Shark Nett Gallery opening at Havelock, Marlborough and photos Michael and Lynette Bradley, Havelock, Marlborough. Rangitane Last month a dream was realised for Michael and Lynette Bradley when the Shark Nett Gallery was officially opened in front of whanau, friends and local dignitaries. Michael Bradley addresses guests at the long awaited opening of The Shark Nett Gallery in Havelock In perfect sunshine, the gallery perched above their Havelock property was filled with people. Children from Havelock School sang waiata reminding one and all of the importance of the collection. “It was a proud day for me, for all of us,” said Michael. Kaikoura MP Colin King, local Mayor Alistair Sowman, Wellington tour operators and even former policeman and Marlborough District Councillor Graham Barsanti paid tribute to the Bradleys and what they had achieved in the area. While acknowledging the pride for their achievement, Michael said the project, which had been more than two decades in the making, had come at quite a cost. “Quite a bit more than I ever imagined.” He had overcome significant health problems and sold assets to finance the venture. The Shark Nett Collection was owned by Michael and Lynette. Poutama's Tom Manaena congratulates Havelock's Michael Bradley on the opening of The Shark Nett Gallery He said the purpose of the collection was to ensure that our children and grandchildren were exposed to the traditional and contemporary carvings, drawings and paintings that are linked to their heritage in the Kaituna, Hoiere, Ana Mahunga, Totaranui, Wairau districts and to confirm their blood ties with those previous occupiers and owners of land from D’Urville Island to the Clarence River, whose history stretches back 1000 years. These carvings of our Tupuna are in accordance with Maori Tikanga for those that hold Mana Whenua within their own Rohe. “Those carved ancestors are symbols of our blood links to those former owners, occupiers of these territories. They signify our continued occupation and customary authority in this region, by ensuring our fires are burning to keep the souls of our ancestors warm.” He said carvers were commissioned to reproduce the traditional history of the Rangitane people of the Marlborough Sounds. The focus of the carvings was on the ancestors of significance and other local traditional stories of importance. These include Taniwha, Maori Gods (Tangaroa, God of the Sea, Tu Matauenga, God of War and Tiki, the God of Mankind). The carving was ongoing with mainly four people producing most of this collection, with the first being purchased in April 1989. Michael said the private collection, reputed to be the largest in the World, depicted traditional and contemporary, mythological and marine themes that are of historical importance to the Rangitane Iwi, of the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. He spoke of the history of the area. He said on February 16, 1856 at Orakaiwhea Pa, Rangitane of Kaituna and Hoiere ceded all their customary land interests in the Marlborough Sounds as a favour to the Crown, in return for land reserves in Havelock, Kaituna, Hoiere and Mahakipawa. The Crown promised to protect Rangitane Land, Fisheries, Forestry and estates for as long as they wished to retain them. Marlborough Maori Population Census was completed. Rangitane o Kaituna was recorded as having 17 adults and five children. Michael said the carvings were to replace the ones lost, stolen, burnt, taken by Tribal Invasion, confiscated by Early Explorers for Museums & Artefact Hunters, from Rangitane. “These carvings celebrate the survival of Rangitane, who were still hunted down by Te Rauparaha and his retainer’s right up until 1847, but remain as owners and occupiers to the present day.” “These carvings are dedicated to the former owners and occupiers, ancestors of the Rangitane Iwi of the Marlborough Sounds whose descendants are scattered all over the World.” Michael said all wood used in the carvings was sourced from the Kaituna and Hoiere rivers of Havelock, Marlborough Sounds and most of it was Matai or Totara. While the gallery is open with daily guided tours between 10am and 4pm, it is only the start, said Michael. Shark Nett Cafe / Wine Bar is currently under construction to promote Mussels, Scallops and other local seafood’s along with local wines to our Visitor, Tourist market. “We foresee our waterfront location as a major cog in the promotion of local Maori Art, Wine, Seafood and other high quality value products. Shark Nett Lounge Bar / Shop is currently under construction for relaxing and wine tasting while viewing more Maori Art. Shark Nett has carved Patu, Taiaha, Fish Hooks and small panels for sale, along with other Maori themed products. The furniture that is produced from local timbers is also for sale. Shark Nett Workshop produces unique native wood furniture and other wood products for the Visitor, Tourist market. Shark Nett also has plans for Reclamations, Walking Tracks, Kayaking, Trout Fishing, Fishing Charters, Horse Rides, Waka Display, Marine Farming Mussel Museum, Jet Skiing, Bird Watching all linked to the facility at Kaituna / Havelock. Shark Nett has 700,000 Visitor Tourist travel past their entrance on Queen Charlotte Drive annually of which 40% are Internationals. There are 1.7 million Visitor Tourists travelling from Havelock to Nelson and 1.2 million from Havelock to Blenheim of which also are 40% Internationals. For more information – www.sharknett.co.nz