One Land Expert: Amster Reedy
Amster Reedy
Amster Reedy - Maori Tikanga Expert
Te Kawa of Marae (expert in ancient Maori rituals), Pukenga
(many skills) Tohunga (teacher of Maori rituals) and Kaumatua
(respected elder)
Born in 1943 Amster's real name is New Amsterdam Reedy - he and his
17 siblings were all named after places in WWII or people from
their iwi that fought in it. That sense of history and
respect for his ancestors has seen Amster forge a varied and
successful career as a Maori Tikanga consultant. At the
forefront of Maori philosophy and in New Zealand and an expert in
ancient Maori rituals Amster has been providing advice to public
and private sector agencies on tikanga, protocols and practices for
over 20 years.
Brought up in, as he describes it: "the Maori world" on a dairy
farm on the East Cape, near Ruatoria, Amster began his career as a
teacher before recognizing the growing need for consultants on
Maori issues, practices, identity and language. He has
traveled the world in this capacity, including accompanying the New
Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth teams in the Athens and Beijing
Games.
Amster saw One Land as a unique opportunity to tell the stories of
our Maori and Pakeha ancestors in a dynamic and important time in
our history as a nation - a time Amster refers to as: "the calm
before the storm", referring to the land wars that were to
follow.
Amster worked closely with the Producers throughout the
development, research and filming of the series.
"I would like to commend the programme makers of this series in
daring to re-create a situation which will stimulate people to
discuss their own understandings of this important era of our
country, and how it compares with today's world in terms of
aspirations and where we are headed. Perhaps the series may shed
light on our history and lead to history being taught in
schools."
Amster's iwi affiliations are with Aitanga-a-Mate; Putaanga;
Tuwhakairiora; Uetohatu and Ngati Porou.
