Kaupapa Māori
As one of New Zealand’s four major museums, Tūhura Otago Museum cares for one of the largest and most significant collections of taoka Māori in the world. These treasures contribute to research and are shared through exhibitions that tell of the ancestral lives of kā tūpuna and inform contemporary cultural practice and arts today. Upholding the mana of the treasures includes ensuring they are connected with descendant hapū and iwi, both through the Museum’s programmes and sometimes by restoring taoka to their home communities.
Kā Kaitiaki
Carers of Taoka Māori
We are advised on how to care for and appropriately share taoka by Te Pae Ārahi, the mana whenua forum comprised of rūnaka representatives of Te Tai o Araiteuru. The taoka Māori collection staff include Dr Gerard O’Regan (Kāi Tahu), Lana Arun (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Indo NZ) and Te Atarau Cassidy (Kāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi).
Kaupapa Māori Projects
Tūhura Otago Museum works with rūnaka, university colleagues, and local community museums across Te Waipounamu on various initiatives that support learning about and treasuring taoka Māori. These include archaeological research projects, supporting student learning, developing display information, and supporting the better recognition and care of taoka in museums, on marae, and in the community.
Whakahokika
Repatriating Taoka Māori
Recognising indigenous rights to cultural heritage, Tūhura Otago Museum works to help restore severed connections between taoka and descendant communities through cultural repatriation. This includes addressing taoka historically held by the Museum and facilitating the safe transfer of taoka held in the community. Addressing historically collected human remains, kōiwi takata, is a foremost priority.
Rauemi
Resources
Tūhura supports taoka enquiries, including identification of possible taoka Māori and reporting for the Protected Objects Act 1975. We can help network with rūnaka and local museums across the lower South Island, and with iwi in the North Island through our fellow regional museums. We can also assist with research queries through our links to universities and heritage organisations.
Whakaaturaka
Māori Exhibitions
Our permanent gallery, Tangata Whenua, tells the story of southern Māori with an archaeological focus. It presents wider Māori culture through iconic carvings and other taoka that reflect economic and ritual aspects of traditional life. Southern Land, Southern People displays Māori engagement with landscapes, including mahika kai cultural harvesting practices. Temporary taoka Māori exhibitions have featured hākui (women of Kāi Tahu), taoka puoro (musical instruments), pounamu treasures, and contemporary portraits of ancestors. A special exhibition on Māori rock art is in development.