Nau Mai, Haere Mai ki te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu!
Join us for the month of September as we take this opportunity to celebrate, promote and encourage Te Reo Māori during Māori language week.
On the Front Porch Gallery we have chosen amazing and unique taonga objects from the Museum collection to project, and added their Māori kupu word for each item. We also have some great whānau activities to help with your introduction to, or learning of, te reo Māori.
If you’d like some resources and information about Te Wiki o Te Reo click here!
Front Porch Gallery
12th September – 1st October 2022
Join in the fun of our To the Dogs Hunt, find the working dog images placed around the Museum. Find them all, write your name and contact on the form and put it in to the Prize Draw! You could WIN 1 of 2 Tui & Tama prize packs!
There are also fun FREE activities – design and draw your perfect dog or make a puppy dog finger puppet!
All this and more at your Museum!
9th – 23rd July, available during opening hours.
Te Reo Māori Word Hunt and Activities!
Come and do our Te Reo World Hunt around the Museum and enjoy some FREE fun activities.
Go into the draw for 1 of 2 Tui & Tama Prize packs!
All Tui & Tama Club members who complete the word hunt receive a special Te Reo Māori Badge, FREE!
1st September – 1st October 2022
Available daily during opening hours only
Te Mātakitaki i te hara i a Te Haranui Exhibition at Te Awamutu Museum
Te Mātakitaki i te hara i a Te Haranui Exhibition at Te Awamutu Museum is now open.
A significant exhibition commemorating 200 years since the battle Mātakitaki in 1822.
At that time, Mātakitaki was the metropolis of Ngāti Hikairo, with the site being made up of three distinct components – fortified pā.
Te Haranui was from Ngā Puhi and a nephew of Hongi Hika. After being killed during a feud with a local man, word reached his Uncle. Hongi Hika, and his very large ope group eventually set off from Te Tai Tokerau, seeking revenge for the death of Te Haranui.
Due to this attack, and the subsequent massacre of thousands at Mātakitaki, the name was adapted to Te Mātakitaki i te hara i a Te Haranui – the observance of the wrongdoing committed against Te Haranui. Hence the reason why the exhibition is so named, to highlight this not so well known name.
Te Awamutu Museum have been working closely with mana whenua for many months preparing this showcase, both of which are looking forward to sharing this special kōrero with those who visit.
“It’s been a privilege to collaborate with hapū iwi members to share collective stories of life, loss and reconciliation,” said Henriata Nicholas Museum Exhibitions Coordinator. “This being the 200th commemoration of the 1822 attack on the pā, it’s been an amazing experience to highlight these stories to the communities of Waipā from a hapū iwi perspective.”
The exhibition was due to open on the commemorative date 28th May 2022, as part of a week-long wānanga events at local marae. However, due to Covid restrictions, the organising committee decided on small dedication ceremonies this year with the opportunity for a bigger event in 2023. Committee members also decided the exhibition at the Museum continue and be opened in 2022.
The exhibition includes story board narratives about the history of Mātakitaki, as well as various taonga on display and audio mōteatea.
Come on in and immerse yourself in this story sharing event.
For further enquiries contact:
Hinga Whiu – Hinga.Whiu@tainui.co.nz
Ngā Kura o Tua Whakarere
A collaborative exhibition with Raukawa, portraying the history and journey of Ngāti Raukawa. An immersive display of stories, images, taonga, audio, video and educative animations.
Open mid April – June 2022
