• Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 11

Whai ā-matawā nei, tīmata i runga i te taha mauī

 

Kōauau flute

Rākau Wood 

Koia nei te taonga pūoro e horapa ana te rongo. Ko te nuinga he mea hanga ki te rākau, he maire, he mataī, he tōtara me ngā mahinga whakairo kei runga. Pērā i ngā kōauau katoa, e toru ōna wenewene, tūrourouhia e ngā matimati me te hau pārore, hei whakakōrero i tōna rerehua. Me te aha, he hoa haere mā te kai-whakatangi, hei tāhei.

Kōauau are among the more common taonga pūoro (musical instruments). They were customarily carved from maire, mataī, or tōtara wood, with patterns and symbols varying from tribe to tribe. The kōauau has three wenewene (finger-holes) and is played by lifting the instrument to one side and placing the lip on the edge of the blowing hole at one end, then blowing softly over the opposite inside edge. These taonga were also worn around the neck.

On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology,D1914.55

Waka huia treasure box

Rākau, kano māori Wood, natural pigment

Ko te tikanga ake o tēnei mea te waka-huia, he waka mā te humaeko o te huia me ngā taonga whakarākei e rite ana te tapu. He pērā rawa te whakairohia onā, ā, i ngā rā ō mua he mea whata ki ngā tāheke o roto i te whare rangatira. He motuhake ake tēnei waka-huia i tana taupoki, ahakoa e taututetutetia ana mēna rā koia nei te taupoki tūturu. He kōwhaiwhai kei te runga i te taupoki nei, he mea tā ki ngā kano māori.

The name waka-huia indicates that this finely ornamented wooden storage box was used to contain huia feathers or similarly treasured personal adornments. They were usually elaborately carved and traditionally were designed to be suspended from the rafters of prominent whare (houses). This particular waka-huia is unique because it has a painted taupoki (lid). The distinctive kōwhaiwhai design is painted with natural pigments. However, it is questionable if this taupoki is the original. 

On loan from British Museum,Oc,NZ.113.a

Paepae hamuti latrine

Rākau, anga pāua Wood, pāua shell

E wānangatia tonutia ana te tikanga ake me te whakamahinga o tēnei momo taonga te paepae hamuti. E mea ana he kakau, heoi anō kāore tonu i toka ngā whakaaro, tērā pea he wahanga nō runga i te waka, he wahanga rānei nō te hanganga o te whare. Heoi anō, he kōkuhunga tapawhāroa kei ngā taha e rua, ā, he pūare tapawhāroa e rua kei roto, māna, he wahanga anō hei tāpaetanga e oti ai te hanga o tēnei taonga.

The original function of this rare type of taonga remains unclear. It is often stated that they are the ends of latrine bars, but firm evidence for this is lacking and they could be parts of canoes or houses. A rectangular recess on both sides of the shaft is pierced with two rectangular holes which indicates that additional wooden attachments are required to complete the structure and function of this mysterious artefact.

On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.65

Turuturu weaving peg

Rākau Wood

Whakamahia ai te turuturu hei whata i te pūeru, kia whakawhena, kia tōtika, ā, e rere pai ai ngā mahi a te kaiwhatu pūeru. E rua ngā turuturu hei whakawhata i te pūeru, he mea titi ki te whenua. Pēnei ake, he mea whakarākei hoki ēnei tū taonga ki ngā tohu whakairo.

Turuturu (weaving pegs) are fixed securely in the ground with the cloak that is being worked on suspended between them.  In this way the cloak is kept taut, upright and at the right height for the weaver who sits in front of it.  Turuturu like this one are not only functional but also finely carved taonga.

On loan from Pitt Rivers Museum,1887.1.715


The museum’s collections are always growing and on this page we share some of the highlights.  Our thanks to the donors for their support.

Visit our Donations page for more information.

Research and access

Researchers can view collections that are not on display by making an appointment with the Museum Collection Manager.  Staff can also take small group tours through the collection storage facilities by appointment.  Please note that staff are not always available immediately and it is advisable to make arrangements as far in advance as possible, particularly if you are only visiting Gisborne for a short period.

Researchers who are unable to visit in person can make their enquiry by email, letter or telephone

Newsletter Signup

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
TOP