Te Heke Whakangā Ki Motueka Showcases Iwi Journey

A new exhibition is coming to Motueka Museum showcasing the rich history and remarkable journey of local iwi Ngāti Rārua.

The exhibition, Te Heke Whakangā, opens to the public at Motueka District Museum Pupuri Taonga on Sunday 18 May, and will run for 11 weeks.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua board chair Olivia Hall says the exhibition is a chance to look back on history as we move into the future.

“Ngāti Rārua signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in good faith on 17 June 1840 and after 173 years of Crown breaches, in 2013, Ngāti Rārua signed their Deed of Settlement.

“Te Heke Whakangā tells just a few Ngāti Rārua stories relating to Motueka. This will give people some insight into the scale of what Ngāti Rārua have lost and experienced, across generations.

“Looking back is important, because recognising where you’ve come from, supports and strengthens how you move forward.”

Building a strong, secure future is a firm focus of the iwi, she says.

“Since 2013 we have focussed on rebuilding our economic, cultural, environmental and social pou, for the benefit of not only Ngāti Rārua, but our wider communities.

“Here in Motueka Te Āwhina Marae goes from strength to strength, revitalising our reo, our toi, and housing our people in traditional papakainga style.

“We have an unwavering commitment to support our whānau and hapū of Ngāti Rārua.”

About the exhibition

This is the second Te Heke Whakangā exhibition and gives insight into Ngāti Rārua history and experience in Motueka. The first, in Wairau, attracted more than 7,000 visitors.

Some of the exhibits of Ngā Heke Whakangā include

Ngāti Rārua Tupuna

Whakapapa,

Motueka Reserves,

Whakarewa,

Te Āwhina Marae,

28th Māori Battalion and Ngāti Rārua whānau, and

Toi Māori (Māori art)

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