Significant treasures of Aotearoa New Zealand coming to Nelson

Hei tiki (pendant in human form), 2008, made by Lewis Tamihana Gardiner of Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, and Te Whānau-a-Apanui, New Zealand. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (ME024001)

An exhibition of more than 200 pounamu greenstone treasures is coming to Nelson Provincial Museum next month.

Kura Pounamu: Our Treasured Stone, created by Te Papa working closely with Ngāi Tahu and other iwi, features ancient and contemporary pounamu taonga from all tribal areas of New Zealand, including the Nelson Tasman region.

Kura Pounamu tells the story of this most precious of stones, its significance to Māori, and its enduring value from ancient times until today. It will be available to view from 24 August until 24 November 2019.

Found only in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu stone – highly coveted by iwi throughout Aotearoa New Zealand – was known to have been transported many miles from its source, to be used and traded by Māori. More recently, the treasures have crossed oceans to be appreciated by visitors in their hundreds of thousands across China and in Paris, France.

The Nelson based exhibition sees the return of contemporary works created by celebrated artist Fayne Robinson who connects to local Te Tauihu iwi, as well as loaned treasures from Richard Nunns and Nelson College. Some of the taonga have a connection to local places such as Cobb River, D’Urville Island and Port Underwood. Outstanding examples of traditional toki (tools), hei tiki (pendants in human form), and mere (weapons) form the majority of the exhibition, with some of the oldest thought to originate from early settlement times, around 700-800 years ago. Four large pounamu touchstones complete the over-200 piece collection – the largest of which, “Te Hurika”, weighs 170kg.

Nelson Museum Interim Chief Executive, Olivia Hall, says “It’s rare to see a collection of such precious taonga in one place, and to know that this place is our museum is an absolute honour. Te Papa and Ngāi Tahu have given us a stunning showcase and we are delighted to be able to present it to our locals and visitors this spring. The taonga exhibited in Kura Pounamu whakapapa to Te Wai Pounamu – so it is very special to have them back here for our local iwi to connect with.”

Te Papa Kaihautū (Māori leader) Dr Arapata Hakiwai explains that Kura Pounamu: Our Treasured Stone reaffirms the ancient links and connections iwi from Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island) have with pounamu.

Having recently shown at Canterbury Museum with strong involvement from Ngāi Tahu iwi it is appropriate the exhibition now moves to Nelson, one of the seven pounamu source areas in the south, so that the iwi there can also celebrate their connection to pounamu.

“We acknowledge the close and enduring relationship Ngāti Kuia and Ngāti Koata has with their ancestral stone, Pounamu, and we acknowledge the pivotal relationship held between Ngāi Tahu and pounamu further to the south” Dr Hakiwai says.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai says the exhibition is a chance to showcase the history and importance of pounamu.

“Generations of Ngāi Tahu whānau have shared a special connection with pounamu. It offers us guidance and protection, and with that comes our duty of kaitiakitanga or stewardship of this taonga. It’s wonderful to see its significance and heritage shared with a wide audience here in Aotearoa and overseas.”