Smart Talk, Great Music

This month’s LATE at Auckland Museum provided another opportunity to feel like a VIP and move through the museum galleries after closing hours, as well as another instalment of ‘Smart Talk, Great Music’…

This month’s LATE at Auckland Museum provided another opportunity to feel like a VIP and move through the museum galleries after closing hours, as well as another instalment of ‘Smart Talk, Great Music.’

Enjoying a glass of wine in the Atrium while entertained by the energetic Mana Maoli Collective and the legendary Stinky Jim, offers an excellent start to the evening. The talk this month took place in the Maori Court, a great use of the Museum’s space, although it meant to wine sipping during the discussion!

This month the theme was ‘Innovation,’ a buzzword that features in much current discourse in New Zealand, as we analyse how our innovative, ‘can-do’ mindset can be utilised to grow our economy.

Panellists Dr Helen Anderson and New Zealander of the Year Ray Avery provided wisdom into this hot topic, offering great insight from their respective work in the fields of Science and Technology. The talk was infused with examples from the unique experience of the panellists, although there wasn’t necessarily a whole lot of new ground covered.

Findlay MacDonald, ‘New Zealander of the Year’ Ray Avery and Dr Helen Anderson.

Led by journalist Findlay MacDonald, the panel was smaller than usual, meaning that both members had a chance to explain their positions, but the debate was less lively than with a larger group.

MacDonald began the talk by asking for a show of hands to indicate those who are interested in science. This raised an interesting point – the small number of people who raised their hands indicates New Zealand’s position as a country with a scepticism of academic pursuits. Both Anderson and Avery suggested that this is the attitude that holds us back on the world’s arena.

Performers accompany An Emerald City

Other entertainment for the night included An Emerald City, an interesting six-piece who performed impressively in the Grand Foyer, mixing an Eastern sound with violins and other strings.

By Jane Apperley, 11 March 2010