#culture: Sacred Alpine Taonga Takes Centre Stage in Groundbreaking Tīkumu Exhibition

A powerful new exhibition is set to open in Te Tauihu, shining a spotlight on tīkumu – a revered alpine plant of Te Waipounamu – in what is believed to be the first exhibition dedicated entirely to its cultural and weaving legacy.

Taku Rau Tīkumu, curated by Hamuera and Naomi Aporo-Manihera, explores the deep relationship between Māori and the alpine landscapes of the South Island, tracing the story of a plant long associated with rangatiratanga and cultural identity.

For generations, tīkumu has been regarded among the highest symbols of chiefly status. The exhibition brings this legacy into focus, highlighting the skill and innovation of southern Māori weaving traditions, alongside the environmental knowledge that underpins them.

At its core, the exhibition reflects a growing movement of reconnection. Across Te Waipounamu, kairaranga are returning to alpine maunga to harvest rau tīkumu, reviving practices once at risk of disappearing and renewing knowledge systems grounded in tikanga, observation, and care for the environment.

The exhibition weaves together a rich collection of taonga, combining mātauranga Māori with scientific insight, oral histories, archival material, photography, and contemporary artworks from around Aotearoa. The result is an immersive experience that brings together past and present, tradition and innovation.

It also reflects the wider importance of reconnecting to ancestral knowledge systems and landscapes as a pathway to wellbeing, identity, and cultural strength.

Hosted at Nelson Provincial Museum, the exhibition highlights the deep histories of Te Tauihu and Te Waipounamu, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with a story that is both regionally grounded and nationally significant.

Taku Rau Tīkumu opens on 9 April and runs through to 19 July 2026, inviting the public to experience the enduring legacy of this remarkable alpine taonga.