Media Release Ministry for Culture and Heritage 15 July 2011

Frankfurt Book Fair Guest of Honour Project Director announced

Tanea Heke will lead New Zealand’s year long Guest of Honour programme leading up to the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair, Manatū Taonga – the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s chief executive Lewis Holden announced today.

As Project Director, Tanea will be responsible for developing a programme in Germany which gives maximum exposure to New Zealand’s culture and business, an exciting task she says, ”Over the next 12 months we will be showcasing the best literary and cultural talent from Aotearoa in Germany. What a fantastic opportunity! I am thrilled to be appointed to the role and leading the project!”

Tanea Heke will be a well known face to many New Zealanders as an actress who’s frequented the stage and screen of productions such as No. 2, Second Hand Wedding and Eagle vs. Shark. Recently her work as a project manager has included the very successful Michael Parekowhai exhibition at the 2011 Venice Biennale and promoting New Zealand artists at WOMEX (an international Womad festival talent market), the Australian Performing Arts Market and the Australasian World Music Expo.

Tanea has also been exhibitions manager at Te Papa for four years and was programme manager/artistic director at Taki Rua Productions.