Te Whakatōhea Reconnects with Ancestral Kaitaka Uhengaparaoa at UCLA Exhibition

A delegation from the Bay of Plenty iwi Te Whakatōhea recently traveled to California to open a significant exhibition featuring an ancestral treasure that has long been held overseas. As reported by RNZ on 28 October 2026, the exhibition, titled Uhengaparaoa, Taonga Tuku Iho: Ancestral Gifts and Contemporary Māori Art, is currently being held at the Fowler Museum at UCLA. At the heart of the display is Uhengaparaoa, a historic kaitaka or cloak made of muka (flax fibre) featuring intricate tāniko geometric designs. The kaitaka is regarded as an ancestor by the iwi. Artist Tangimoe Clay, who was part of the group, noted that while the cloak was originally made within Te Whakatōhea, it was sold decades ago for just three pounds before eventually entering the museum's collection. To provide the ancestor with a hoa haere, or companion, Clay handwove and gifted a poi tāniko to the museum. Maui Hudson, a member of the iwi research team, described the experience as a vital restoration of mauri, noting the visit brought both the cloak and the rōpū to life. The delegation included a cross-section of the community, from kaumātua and cultural leaders to rangatahi and artists. During the visit, the group established international indigenous connections with the American Indian Studies Department at UCLA and the Tongva people, the traditional custodians and Indigenous inhabitants of Los Angeles. These engagements served to strengthen the cultural context surrounding the taonga during its time in the United States. While the exhibition is scheduled to remain on display for six months—with one report suggesting it could stay until May 2027—the visit has sparked ongoing discussions regarding its long-term future. Danny Paruru, iwi development manager for Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea, stated that the iwi is focused on building strong relationships with global institutions that house their taonga. While Paruru noted that repatriation remains a possibility the iwi must prepare for, the current emphasis is on establishing active guardianship roles and ensuring the iwi can act as protectors of their heritage regardless of where it is physically located.