Aurei cloak pin Whalebone-tooth, flax fibre On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.44
Aurei cloak pin
Rei-puta, muka harakeke Whalebone-tooth, flax fibre
Whakamahia ai tēnei taonga te aurei hei whakamau i ngā pūeru ō te Māori. Kei roto i tana ingoa tōna whakamahukitanga, he au-tui, he mea hanga ki te rei-puta. Nāwai, kua noho hei ingoa karanga ki ēnei tū hanga taonga ō te Māori.
Aurei were used to fasten traditional cloaks over the shoulder. The word au comes from the Māori term for the thatch needle and rei refers to the whale ivory from which some of them were made. Au-rei has come to be a general term for all ornaments of this type.
On loan from Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, D1914.44
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 13
Patu Parāhe Brass patu
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 4
Pākē rain cape
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 10
Tātua belt Heru Comb Rei-puta whale-tooth necklace Aurei cloak pin Poro-toroa Albatross toggle Kapeu ear pendant
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 9
Tātua belt Kahu kurī dog-skin cloak
Hamuera by Erena Koopu
Hamuera by Erena Koopu, 2018 Acrylic and graphite on canvas, 710mm diameter This work by Erena Koopu was part of the exhibition Hei ō Mō Apanui | Iwi Sustenance held at Tairāwhiti Museum in 2018 and purchased by the Friends of Tairāwhiti Museum for the collection. He waiata a ringa (an action song) Performed by Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui at Te Matatini in the year 2005 in Palmerston North. Nō te tau 2004 ka whakaturehia e te kāwanatanga te pire takutai moana, e riro ai te taitara o te papa moana, tōna ritenga, he muru whenua. I taua tau rā, ko Tāriana Tūria te wahine toa o Reipa kāore i tautokona taua pire, ā, ko ētahi atu o ana hoa mema Māori, i tautoko tonu. He waiata-ā-ringa tēnei e kōrero ana ki aua mema rā, kia aro ki ngā tohutohu a ngā poropiti Māori, kei reira te māramatanga e noho ana. In 2004 the Government passed the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Bill, which transferred title to the crown, and in itself is a form of modern day confiscation. In that same year, Tāriana Tūria, Māori MP of Labour crossed the floor, while the rest of her Māori colleagues remained seated. This action song speaks to those seated members, and urges them to remember the lessons of past Māori prophets, as clarity must resides in their messages.
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 11
Kōauau flute Paepae hamuti latrine Turuturu weaving peg Waka huia treasure box
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 5 and 7
Hoe paddles
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 2
Patu ōnewa weapon Wahaika weapon Patu Parāoa weapon Kotiate weapon
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 8
Mētara Koroneihana a Hōri III George III Coronation medalet
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 3
Tīheru/Tata bailer Matau fishhook
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 12
Te Pou o Hinematioro
Tū te Whaihanga Showcase 6
Kaitaka cloak
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.
Donating to the collection
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
