Series Classification: G (General Programmes)
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Episode 1: The Story of Te Awe - He Wawata (An Aspiration)
Rolled whāriki (mats) in storage with new see through coverings. Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Te Awe was a project designed to enrich, reorganise, and improve the care of our 10,000+ taonga Māori in a way that is embedded in Mātauranga Māori. Through this mahi Auckland Museum made the taonga Māori collection more visible and accessible to iwi, hāpu, whānau, museum staff, researchers, and the public.
The name of the project, Te Awe, refers to adornment, the additions that embellish taonga through ornamentation – the hair and feathers at the head of a taiaha (weapon) or heel of a toki (adze), the tags and tassels of kākahu (cloak). As with these acts of embellishment, our project seeks to uphold the mana of taonga in Auckland Museum by advancing our care of them, stabilising their forms, suitably re-housing them, and improving digital access to them through images and documentation. Through these actions, we adorn the taonga in our care.
Kate Blair, Te Awe Project Conservator stabilising a korowai (cloak). Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
One of the many discussions on poka (shaping) within the kaupapa (foundation) of a kaitaka paepaeroa (type of cloak). Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Maureen Lander and Chanel Clarke embrace during the powhiri (welcome) to formally commence the project. Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Fine examples of tātua (belt), taniko (finger weaving) and tātua whakairo (patterned belt). Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Poka shaping on a kākahu (cloak). Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Fine example of a korowai (cloak) with karure (twisted) thrums. Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
L – R, Matekino Lawless, Awhina Tamarapa, Dr Maureen Lander and Rangi Te Kanawa examining a cloak. Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Matekino Lawless using a magnifying glass to view the close weave. Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Rangi Te Kanawa, Christina Wirihana and Awhina Tamarapa viewing kete and stability of packaging. Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
Floating storage solution for kiwi kete muka (flax fibre bag). Photo: Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum
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Tāmaki Paenga Hira / Auckland War Memorial Museum Photo: Auckland War Memorial Museum
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