The Water Project Research trip
In March 2017, together with Shirin Khosraviani, AAG director and curator of the exhibition, we spent a week in the central South Island region. The journey south from Christchurch across the plains and into the Mackenzie Country offered not only vistas of immense beauty and powerful iconic impact, but also led us to a sobering awareness of the vexed and potentially catastrophic situation currently facing our country’s waterways. Engaging with local people, iwi, conservationists and others during the journey, we were brought to a new awareness of the contested politics underlying the demands for freshwater use and allocation, as well as a renewed appreciation for wairua – the spirit of fresh water.
Phil, Maraewhenua River, 30sec video
Ross & Phil’s jam, Geraldine, 30sec video
Temuka River visit with manawhenua, 30sec video