Artwork Information

Between 1919 and 1923 as cinematographer for the Dominion Museum in Wellington, James McDonald documented Māori gatherings in various parts of New Zealand. Jonathan Dennis describes the films he made as 'the most extensive record of their kind of traditional Māori life and activities from this time. Amounting to just under two hours in length, they are taonga, cultural treasures of extraordinary beauty and importance'. Accompanied by the museum's ethnologist, Elsdon Best, and Johannes Andersen of the Alexander Turnbull Library, McDonald filmed actual events and specially-staged demonstrations, took many still photographs and made cylinder recordings of songs and speeches. His record of the Gisborne 'Hui Aroha' to welcome home the Māori Battalion in 1919 is the earliest known film of Māori people to be made in New Zealand. This photograph was taken at a gathering of the tribes in Rotorua to welcome the Prince of Wales. In 1926 McDonald moved to Tokaanu and helped found Te Tūwharetoa School of Māori Arts and Crafts, an attempt to revive traditional arts in danger of being lost. The School received no government support but his commitment was acknowledged and welcomed by Māori. As a photographer and film-maker James McDonald made an invaluable contribution to the cultural history of New Zealand. (from The Guide, 2001)