Rare Māori treasures highlight significant wetlands

More than 20 rare taonga are on display at Tūranga library, as part of a new exhibition celebrating the special relationship Ngāi Tahu has with wetlands.

Curated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Christchurch City Libraries, Whakaata mai te Kūkūwai - Reflections from the Wetlands opens Sunday and runs until February. 

The exhibition, which highlights significant wetlands throughout the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (tribal area) and mahinga kai practices, coincides with the launch of the 11th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference held virtually due to COVID-19.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Te Taumutu Rūnanga Representative, David Perenara-O'Connell, says the exhibition will showcase 23 taonga and tell the story of how Ngāi Tahu traditionally used wetlands.

“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 says.

“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.”

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 special taonga on display.

“Each taonga tells 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-19^th 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 says the exhibition is 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 says Christchurch City Libraries is proud to host the exhibition.

“This is the second Ngāi Tahu exhibition that we have been fortunate to host in Tūranga, and like the first exhibition, Kā Huru Manu, it provides a unique insight into the relationship Ngāi Tahu has with the natural environment.”