Precious taonga that were used by Māori to fish and catch whitebait are on display as part of an exhibition celebrating the relationship Ngāi Tahu has with wetlands.
Some of the taonga on display. Photo: Supplied / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Curated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Christchurch City Libraries, Whakaata mai te Kūkūwai - Reflections from the Wetlands opens on Sunday and runs until February at Tūranga, Christchurch's central library.
A kupenga īnanga (whitebait net), a carved wooden patu (fishing club), a flax aho (fishing line), māhē (sinkers), and matau (fishhooks) are some of the 23 taonga on display.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Te Taumutu Rūnanga representative David Perenara-O'Connell said the exhibition showcased the taonga and the relationship between people and their environment.
"Wetlands, lagoons and estuaries are incredibly significant to Ngāi Tahu, especially for mahinga kai. For generations our people have sustained their whānau by catching their kai and collecting resources such as harakeke (New Zealand flax)," he said.
"This exhibition is an opportunity for us to share our traditional food gathering techniques, tribal stories, and the mahi we're undertaking around the takiwā to protect and restore wetlands."
He said each taonga told its own story.
"It's incredible how clever our tīpuna (ancestors) were, these taonga are works of art. Visitors can see traditional fishhooks expertly carved from native wood, as well as a beautiful pārengrenga (gaiters) which have been woven using muka fibre carefully extracted from harakeke leaves."
Historic South Island Survey Maps, known as the Black Maps, will be on display to show the locations of wetlands in Canterbury prior to the mass land modification during the mid-19th Century.
The walls of the exhibition will feature historic and contemporary photographs of wetlands around the Ngāi Tahu takiwā and describe various conservation projects and partnerships underway to restore wetlands and bring back native wildlife.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu chief executive Arihia Bennett said the exhibition was an opportunity for New Zealanders to learn more about Ngāi Tahu traditions.
"It's fantastic to showcase the mahi of the iwi and the wider community to restore our mahinga kai. Because of their efforts, whānau can continue with our traditional food gathering practices, while preserving wetlands for future generations."
Head of Libraries and Information Carolyn Robertson said Christchurch City Libraries was proud to host the exhibition which provided an insight into the relationship between Ngāi Tahu and the environment.
The exhibition launch coincides with the 11th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference which is being held online due to Covid-19.
Given the Covid-19 restrictions, a formal event to celebrate the exhibition with Papatipu Rūnanga, Ngāi Tahu whānau and Christchurch City Council leaders will take place later this year.
