September 28, 2021
Fine cloak carries history of struggle and strategy
A rare cloak with associations to Rewi Maniapoto has returned to Aotearoa.
The kaitaka aronui was unwrapped at Te Papa yesterday by conservator Dr Rangi Te Kanawa after its journey from England, where it was held by the descendants of John Grice since his return there from New Zealand in 1891.
It’s believed the Ngati Maniapoto leader gifted the taonga to Grice in about 1890, after frequently staying at his home on the Kihikihi to Cambridge road on his way to Native Land Court sittings.
Waikato Hauraki MP Nanaia Mahuta says Ngāti Maniapoto will welcome the return of the taonga.
“Having worked on the Maniapoto Settlement I know those tūpuna who fought for their whenua and then fought for a way through to achieve their aspirations given the realities of colonisation, it’s a timely return and it will remind descendants beyond Ngāti Maniapoto that our tūpuna had great wisdom and foresight,” she says.
Nanaia Mahuta says the cloak, which Dr Te Kanawa found had the muka thread count at 10 whatu per cm, double the count of a modern fine kākahu, has the appearance of fine linen.