Celebrate Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori Month with Huhu, your Tui & Tama Club mascot friend!

For the month of September we are excited to display information on one of our significant objects in the collection – Te Hokioi the Printing Press, in celebration of Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori month at the Te Awamutu Museum – Education & Research Centre.

The printing press Te Hokioi has an incredible story that spans over 200 years, a journey that took nearly 1800kms, crossing more than three seas and two oceans, and was used by Māori as a way to publish propaganda about the crown’s intention within Aotearoa New Zealand in te reo Māori before the Waikato Wars 1863!

It is a local story with connections to the Emperor of Austria, Franz Josef. Two Māori men took on an adventure that would ultimately undertake vocational training in the print industry and merge into European society. However the legacy of the printing press that was gifted to the two men, took on another perspective as it was welcomed into the heart of the Kīngitanga. The press quickly became a weapon utilised by Māori as a way to publish their opinions on how the crown was making headway into colonising the upper part of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The publication – Te Hokioi e Rere Atu Na (The Soaring War Bird) soon became an outlet for Māori to voice their opposition of crown forces making moves around the Waikato.

This small display focuses on the publication – who were the main players, what was it used for, and how it started a movement in Māori media to this day!

To celebrate this story for the month of September there will be creative activities involving – learn how to create a print using our specially hand-made printing press and how to design your own mono print!

On display from 1st – 3oth September 2023!