Wānanga 5 – Archival with Vicki-Anne Heikell
Wednesday, 31 July 2024
The final Taonga Care Wānanga took place towards the end of July 2024 and looked at the practical steps whānau and iwi can take in the care, handling, storage and display of archival collections.
This wānanga, organised in collaboration with Te Papa Tongarewa, National Services Te Paerangi, was held at Tapuaeharuru marae at Rotoiti, and was attended by 33 participants representing 24 Te Arawa hapu/iwi.
The wānanga was facilitated by Vicki-Anne Heikell (MNZM)( Te Whānau-a-Apanui), who has worked in conservation for over 25 year and is the Field Conservator for Alexander Turnbull Library’s Outreach Services.
Day one started with a facilitated discussion on the display of photographs inside wharenui. Marae like Tapuaeharuru are becoming increasingly challenged with identifying un-named portraits, appropriate hanging systems to minimise damage of internal structures, and investigating alternative solutions to manage the potential growth of the marae’s photographic collection. This important discussion will require on-going conversations and input from the wider hapu of the marae.
Vicki-Anne Heikell carried out on-site assessments of taonga participants brought along, identifying the damage, cause of damage, and offered advice on the most practical way forward to manage the care and protection of their taonga.
Participants learnt how to make appropriate storage systems including how to safely nest their taonga inside archival boxes.
Following this successful wānanga, attendees shared their thoughts on the kaupapa:
“Awesome matauranga, as to how to care for our parents letters, so our mokopuna can enjoy them for years to come.”
“The wairua of the wānanga is priceless, as like-minded people gather to listen, learn and share experiences together.”
“Vicki-Anne’s delivery of this wānanga was beautifully orchestrated. The relevance of our rohe taonga kept engagement 100%.”
This series of wānanga enabled access to Mātanga (Conservators) visiting our rohe and sharing their mātauranga with our whānau to help them care for taonga at home and on the marae. Wānanga covered a range of topics including digitalisation, kākahu (textile & fibre), whāriki (floor coverings), hard materials and archival care.
Whilst participation was free, the commitment for each participant was to return home and share the mātauranga they learnt.
