Wairarapa Chiefs Come Home

Press Release

Wairarapa Chiefs Come Home

The people of the Wairarapa will be welcoming home some of their most important chiefs this weekend.

Kahungunu ka moe...ka puta... Te hokinga mai o te whare wananga, the most significant exhibition seen to date in the Wairarapa, is set to open at Aratoi Museum of Art and History on Saturday May 1st 2004. The exhibition of taonga and photographic and painted portraits is the result of a partnership between Ngati Kahungunu Incorporated, Aratoi, the National Library and He Kahui Wairarapa.

The exhibition brings together 19th century photographic portraits by Samuel Carnell from the collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library, paintings of Wairarapa tipuna by Gottfried Lindauer, and a stunning selection of taonga (treasures), many of which have never been seen in the Wairarapa before.

Using the words ‘facing our past, inspiring our future’ as their guide, the exhibition’s coordinators have created a show which focuses on the mana and achievements of the ancestors to inspire and lead today’s youth.

The exhibition runs until the 3rd July at Aratoi. The exhibition is complemented by a full series of daily events, as well as weekly exhibitions, each one focusing on a different marae from the Wairarapa. Kaiarahi (guides) will be on hand at all times to offer visitors to the exhibition guided tours, free of charge.

ENDS

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