In this issue of ĀTEA we have the pleasure of sharing an interview with our Smokefree Activator for Tāmaki Makaurau Rudi Williams. He shares his experience, thoughts and feelings on Auahitūroa - a Eulogy to tobacco.
What were the main objectives you hoped to achieve with this exhibition?
Create a thought-provoking and impactful piece of artwork that visually communicates the multifaceted impact of tobacco on individuals, whānau, hapu, iwi, and the environment. The artwork should serve as a catalyst for awareness, reflection, and potential behaviour change.
How did whānau react to the exhibition?
Most whānau loved the artwork and it got them reflecting and asking questions about what the pieces and Kaupapa meant to them.
Were there any particularly memorable responses or interactions?
Yes, here are a couple of them:
In response to:
Submit your own Eulogy to Tobacco:
1: “Tobacco; my mother consumed you while pregnant with me, & I have suffered poor hearing and sight all my life. You are a virus and she was so young and did not know the harm you would cause. Your harmful effects on the unborn child have meant a life of struggle and pain for me.
You will never get my tamariki and mokopuna. It stops here, you are gone from my whakapapa and that of my descendants. We are free of you. Farewell, Good riddance!”
2: I love how your ‘laying to rest’ helps me to reflect on the negative impact you made in our communities, the loss of lives, and the false representation you impressed on our Whanau. We will now cut any ties you had with our generation, this generation and the generations to come and remove you from our souls.
In response to:
Tell us what you thought of Auahitūroa Art Exhibition 2024
1: Awesome! Hopefully, this is not the last. The message was loud, authentic and tuturu Māori.
2: Kimai said it was great and it made him quit
How do you see the role of cultural and community-specific initiatives, like Auahitūroa, contributing to broader public health goals?
Initiatives like Auahitūroa play a vital role in raising awareness about the impact of smoking in New Zealand. They aim to distance our communities, individuals, and country from the deeply ingrained smoking culture that has persisted for over a century. By acknowledging the harm caused by tobacco to whānau, hapū, iwi, and hāpori, by creating an inclusive space for change.
To do this, we used artistic expression to connect with communities on a cultural and personal level. This allowed our message to resonate more deeply, to build more awareness about tobacco’s inception in New Zealand and its impact on whānau, iwi, and hāpori. The Kaupapa was able to provoke thought and reflection, to encourage behaviour change not only regarding being smokefree but for overall Hauora, along with the importance of doing so for the betterment of the next generation.
Auahitūroa was able to engage with a diverse audience, including smokers, non-smokers, policymakers, health professionals, and the public. This is important as smoking doesn’t only harm the individual who smokes but the entire community. Initiatives like Auhaitūroa emphasise the importance of collective responsibility so that we can work together towards achieving a smokefree Aotearoa.
