Generations of Te Kanawa and Hetet Weaving Legacy Celebrated in New Exhibition

A landmark exhibition opening at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery on Friday, 16 October 2026, celebrates six generations of the Hetet and Te Kanawa whānau, whose dedication to raranga has preserved Māori weaving for the world stage. Titled Rīpoi Anamata, Rīpoi Inamata, the showcase brings together over 180 years of creative legacy, spanning from Mere Te Rongopāmamao Aubrey to Dame Rangimārie Hetet, Diggeress Te Kanawa, and their contemporary descendants. The exhibition features more than 25 kākahu (cloaks), including a piece gifted to celebrated opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa and a unique work crafted from dingo by a whānau member in Australia. Ata Te Kanawa (Ngāti Maniapoto), daughter of Diggeress Te Kanawa and a member of the exhibition's working group, told RNZ that the display highlights the patience and foresight of her mother and grandmother. She noted that museums have long been a familiar space for the whānau, whose lives were defined by the presence of flax and "busy hands" in the home. A central theme of the exhibition is the correlation between portraits and kākahu. One significant portrait depicts third- and fourth-generation mokopuna wearing korowai woven for children by Dame Rangimārie Hetet. Ata Te Kanawa said the imagery was designed to capture the strength and self-assurance of the young weavers, who are fluent in te reo Māori and represent the living continuation of the craft. Waikato Museum curator Maree Mills (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) told RNZ the whānau are celebrated not just for their artistry but for their roles as committed teachers who ensured their children, grandchildren, and nieces continued the practice. Alongside the weaving, the museum is also hosting Hautāmiro: Bound by the Winds, a monumental installation by the Mataaho Collective. The exhibition is free to the public and runs until 7 March 2027.