Outcomes of Te Māori

Hero image: Warrior Pita Sharples stands on guard (forefront) at the opening of the Te Māori exhibition in New York, 1984. Collection Reference: TZP8386. Year: 1984. Credit: TVNZ, Pita Sharples.

The influence of Te Māori was deep and profound – the exhibition elevated Māori art to a new platform, igniting a strong sense of Māori identity and pride.

There were many key outcomes that arose from Te Māori. Local museums started to engage more with Māori communities and became more receptive to new ways of working together, as they reconsidered how they display and care for taonga Māori.

Te Māori also demystified Māori rituals and made them more accessible to the public, this was done through the platform of television from the first opening in New York to the closing ceremony in Auckland.

The Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust was also established by the management committee to administer surplus funds of the project and to educate and train Māori who wish to pursue professional roles within museums and art galleries.

Waka Huia: 20 years of Waka Huia 

This 2007 episode celebrates 20 years of the Waka Huia series and features an interview with former Waka Huia producer and presenter, Whai Ngata (Ngāti Porou).

Ernie Leonard (Former Head of Māori Department TVNZ) and Whai Ngata were involved with the Te Māori exhibition during the USA tour in 1984.

While in the USA, Ernie pondered the idea, what would be lost, if the plane carrying all the taonga and kaumātua was to fall from the sky.

A few years later in 1987, Ernie and Whai created the Waka Huia series. Presented entirely in te reo Māori the long running programme remains an important archive of Māori stories, history, culture, and people.

RNZ interview with Piri Sciascia 2020

In this 2020 RNZ Te Ahi Kaa weekly programme, Te Māori Management Committee member, Dr Piri Sciascia (Ngāti Kahungunu) speaks about his involvement with Te Māori exhibition project.

Justine Murray presents the acceptance speech given by Piri at the 2016 Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi awards. Piri reflects on his time at the Metropolitan Museum of New York and acknowledges the many respected kaumātua and iwi Māori who supported the touring exhibition.

Uenuku – Interview with Rovina Maniapoto-Anderson and Te Awamutu Museum

In this 2007 episode of Marae, Kīngi Kiriona interviews Rovina Maniapoto-Anderson (Ngāti Maniapoto) and Stephanie Lambert (former Curator Te Awamutu Museum) regarding the revered taonga Uenuku. Uenuku featured in the touring exhibition and fascinated audiences here and abroad.

Waka Huia: 25 years since Te Māori

25 years since Te Māori is captured in this 2009 compilation episode of Waka Huia. This episode pays homage to those involved with Te Māori, who have since passed on.

Te Māori Management Committee members, Sir Hirini Moko Mead, and Sir Tamati Reedy talk about the robust negotiations between iwi leaders, to allow their cherished taonga to be exhibited overseas.