Te Papa to Open Major Māori Carving Exhibition Tracing 700 Years of Whakairo

A landmark exhibition celebrating seven centuries of Māori carving is set to open at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa next month. Entitled 'He Toi Whakairo: The Art of Māori Carving', the exhibit features 147 taonga ranging from the 1300s to contemporary pieces commissioned specifically for this display. The exhibition, which opens on 29 August, aims to demonstrate the continuity and adaptation of whakairo as a living art form. Co-curator Jana Pātete (Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kuia) told RNZ that visitors will be able to witness the stylistic evolution of the craft, starting with early Pasifika influences from Te Moana Nui a Kiwa that eventually transitioned into a distinct Māori aesthetic. Rather than a strictly chronological layout, the exhibition deliberately mixes eras. Co-curator Dougal Austin (Kāti Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Waitaha) noted that placing contemporary poupou alongside historical works emphasizes that Māori culture remains vibrant and active today. Among the highlights of the collection is a hei tiki named Ruatepupuke, crafted by Stacy Gordine. Austin noted the piece is significant as it references the pūrākau of the origins of carving, where Ruatepupuke retrieved the knowledge of whakairo from the underwater house of Tangaroa. The exhibition also features a carved hue (water vessel) from the 19th century and works by wāhine Māori kaiwhakairo. The exhibition’s title is drawn from a whakatauāki by the late Piri Sciascia regarding the Te Maori exhibition, reinforcing the connection between the excellence of the art and the mana of the people. Some of the taonga included have not been seen by the public for perhaps a century, according to the curatorial team, who have spent over a year preparing the space for this significant cultural showcase.