Taonga Māori
Pukaki, he kuwaha tawhito o Ngati Whakaue, courtesy of Pukaki Trust, David Hamilton photography
Taonga Maori 2 (Pou from Nuku Te Api Api – gallery shot):
Three poupou from the porch of Nuku Te Api Api, Whakarewarewa, courtesy of Te Arawa Lakes Trust (LX-524,525,553)
Taonga Māori
The collection of taonga Māori relating to Te Arawa is of national significance. Te Arawa refer to their tribal area in the saying ‘Mai i Maketū ki Tongariro … Ko Te Arawa te waka’, which places the prow of the Te Arawa canoe at Maketū on the Bay of Plenty coast, and the stern at Mt Tongariro.
The Museum cares for more than 2,000 taonga in a kaitiaki role, in liaison with Te Pūkenga Koeke o Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (Te Pūkenga Policy PDF). Many taonga have been placed with the Museum for safekeeping on long term loan, reflecting the mutual understanding and trust developed between the Museum and local iwi, hapū and whānau.
The collection includes significant examples of Te Arawa whakairo rākau (carvings) from several wharenui, including Nuku Te Api Api at Whakarewarewa and Whakaue at Awahou.
By arrangement with the Pūkaki Trust the Museum cares for and displays Pūkaki, he kūwaha tawhito o Ngāti Whakaue.
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