Taonga part of engagement wānanga with Ngāti Tarāwhai
Monday, 22 July 2024
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa took 14 taonga to be part of a two-day exhibition and engagement wānanga with Ngāti Tarāwhai at Lake Ōkataina Lodge at the end of June 2024.
This wānanga is the fifth of a series held to date, that allow the Museum team to engage with iwi and hear and capture their kōrero relating to their taonga and whānau. This will feed into future exhibition planning where Rotorua Museum can ensure the stories captured from iwi will be re-told using their voice and through their eyes.
All the taonga taken to Lake Ōkataina Lodge had whakapapa links to Ngāti Tarāwhai and were warmly welcomed onto the lodge along with the team and Pūkenga Koeke members of Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.
Following Ngāti Tarāwhai’s hautapu ceremony earlier in the morning, the wānanga began with a karakia by Anaha Hiini to unveil the exhibition of taonga and the toi Māori spaces. Cyrus Hingston, chairman of Ngāti Tarāwhai Iwi Trusts gave an opening korero and Rob Rika and Colin Tihi, organisers of the exhibition, provided a summary of the proceedings for the day, as well as the purpose and aim of the wānanga.
Manaaki Pene, Curator Mātauranga Māori spoke on behalf of Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, sharing some kōrero about the taonga and how they came into the care of the Museum, as well as a brief overview of the museum’s iwi engagement kaupapa.
Key speakers for the day were Jim Schuster, direct descendant of Tene Waitere who shared kōrero about his tupuna koroua. Karl Leonard spoke about his koroua, Kaka Niao sharing kōrero of his taonga that were part of the exhibition.
Haki Tahana, Archivist for Te Arawa Lakes Trust presented a chronological history of the wharenui Nukuteapiapi, carved by Ngāti Tarāwhai carvers. Many of the parts of this whare are in the care of Rotorua Museum on a loan arrangement with Te Arawa Lakes Trust.
Rangitihi Pene provided some additional kōrero and referred to some of the taonga that were exhibited and their link to the whare named Rauru which is located in Hamburg, Germany.
Ruakiri Fairhall updated on the tireless efforts of Ngāti Tarāwhai and Te Arawa whānui, to return home Hinemihi o te Ao tawhito.
Finally, Edna Pahewa concluded the speakers for the morning, sharing kōrero of the significant role and legacy of Ngāti Tarāwhai’s kai-whatu raranga/weavers.
Rotorua Museum, Te Whare Taonga o te Arawa would like to acknowledge all Ngāti Tarāwhai whānau who supported this kaupapa and shared kōrero about their taonga and their tūpuna.
