Kaitiaki and Māori Partnerships

Kaitiaki can be an individual or a collective (like iwi, hapū or whānau) who holds guardianship over items with significant Mātauranga Māori content.

It is important to emphasise that although we care for the taonga (the material) in the collection, we do not consider ourselves kaitiaki, but rather kaipupuri (holders of the taonga).

The role of kaitiaki is important at Ngā Taonga, and we have created Tiakina, the Kaitiaki Relationship Framework, to acknowledge and recognise the mana and connection of whānau, hapū and iwi to our Taonga Māori collections.

Learn more about Tiakina – the Kaitiaki Relationship Framework here.

The Archive works closely with iwi to identify and establish kaitiaki relationships, and effectively reconnect the taonga to identifiable people and places. We also engage with kaitiaki to ensure culturally appropriate use and to protect taonga from any derogatory or offensive public use.

On a wider scale, Ngā Taonga builds relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau to enable them to connect with their rich history. We aim to develop learning and capability-building opportunities, utilising a broad range of pathways including:

• internships
• locally provided material
• mentoring programmes
• technology support
• local screening programmes.

The Archive works to balance its dual aims of preserving the collection to the best possible standard and ensuring accessibility. Ngā Taonga maintains its custodial role over the collection, ensuring that kaitiakitanga and ownership of the original items remain with the depositors, and that copyright and intellectual and cultural property rights are protected.

Learn more about items with significant Māori content held in the Taonga Māori Collection.