Canvassing the Treaty is a 78 Minute feature documentary. Six New Zealand artists explore our history and create shared visions for our future.

Canvassing the Treaty is a thought provoking and entertaining examination of the Treaty of Waitangi through artists’ eyes. Guided throughout by Ngāpuhi, Kaumatua, Kingi Taurua, this engaging project is both an art and social experiment. Kingi: “The only way forward for us is to understand each other, not that we are one but that we are different, with different protocols. We must learn about the Treaty and the 1835 Declaration of Independence and talk, talk, talk.”

Kay Ellmers and Jane Reeves create three pairs of artists of various cultural backgrounds, artistic styles, political perspectives and temperaments. Each pair combines one artist of Māori descent and one artist who is not of Māori descent.
These Tangata Whenua/Tangata Tiriti pairs attend a day long treaty education workshop and one month later, are challenged to create a collaborative artwork in response to the Treaty of Waitangi over the course of a weekend wananga at Te Tii marae in Waitangi.

With stunning locations, eclectic artistic visions and provocative discussion, ‘Canvassing the Treaty’ offers a fresh look at the legacy of the Treaty of Waitangi, through artists’ eyes.

Read the full Big Idea article on making the series.

Where: Lido Cinema

When: 9am Friday 13th Aug