Documentaries

About the documentary

The series Pathfinders focuses on Māori leaders in Aotearoa who were raised through the challenging years where te reo Māori was shunned.

This episode, first broadcast on 7 July 2024 at 10am, explores composer Dame Gillian Whitehead’s diverse and innovative career that blends tāonga puoro and traditional musical compositions.

Viewing the documentary

Log in or sign up for TVNZ on Demand to view the documentary. Unfortunately TVNZ content is not available to viewers outside New Zealand.

About the resource

This resource, originally researched and written by Cheryl Camm, was later revised for NCEA by Karen Carter and adapted for online format by Stephen Lange.

A promo prepared by SOUNZ describes the resource.

Introducing Lullaby for Matthew — Youtube (1:14)

About the work

Lullaby for Matthew

Use the resource

Teachers and students can buy a licence from SOUNZ to access the resource.

Gillian Whitehead: Lullaby for Matthew – for NCEA Level 1 (iQualify platform) — SOUNZ

About the documentary

This illustrated talk by University of Auckland Senior Lecturer Dr Leonie Holmes focuses on the cross-cultural composition of New Zealand composers Michael Norris, Victoria Kelly, Jack Body and me. She analyses how we have collaborated with performers to respect the differing historical, cultural and spiritual significance of using instruments from other cultures.

Amongst other works, Leonie examines Puhake ki te rangi.

Puhake ki te rangi

About the recording

The launch in Wellington of Jack! Celebrating Jack Body composer features performances of music written in tribute to Jack by Ross Harris, Jose Evangelista, Somei Satoh, Frederic Rzewski and my work E haki performed by Mere Boynton (voice and poi). The other performers are Jian Liu (piano), Debbie Rawson (bass clarinet) and Krysta Martynes (bass clarinet).

The event took place at the Hunter Council Chamber, Victoria University of Wellington, on 7 May 2015 a few days before Jack died. It included the launch of new CDs of works by Jack Body and the announcement by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand of Jack being made an  Arts Icon by that organisation.

The speakers were Euan Murdoch, Roger Steele (MC), Elizabeth Kerr, Steve Garden, Sir Eion Edgar, with pre-recorded audio by Jack himself.

About the publication

Jack! Celebrating Jack Body composer — publication

About the work

E Haki

About the review

Robert Johnson reviews a range of new releases including performances of 3 of my works on the CD Alice.

About the CD

Alice

Listen to the review

The review begins at about 13 minutes.

The Critics Chair for 25 May 2014 — May 2014

About this documentary

Elizabeth Kerr looks at 4 generations of New Zealand’s women composers and their works and asks us to think about whether there is a discernible female voice in the music of our composers.

It includes excerpts from my works The Journey of Mataku Moana and Alice.

The Journey of Mataku Moana

Alice

Listen to the documentary

Composer of the week: New Zealand women composers — RNZ