August 13, 2021
Museum caves in on ‘found" carving
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira has agreed to return to Te Whānau ā Apanui a carving found hidden in a cave at Whanarua Bay.
Iwi spokesperson Willie Te Aho says it was carved in the early 1800s by Te Whānau a Te Ēhutu carvers from the Te Kaha area under the direction of Te Hata Moutara from Te Whānau a Maruhaeremuri in Raukōkore.
“After being ‘sold’ to the museum of that time, the museum of this time has seen it wasn’t handled the right way by the process in those times and has agreed it should be returned so I am very thankful to the mana whenua committee of Tāmaki Paenga Hira,” he says.
The carving will be displayed in a climate-controlled space in the reception area at Te Kura o Te Whānau ā Apanui in Omaio.
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