Waitaha worry title lost in Oamaru exhibition of taoka
Waitaha iwi are fearful their name will be deleted from a significant collection of ancestral artefacts held by the North Otago Museum when it is exhibited this month, but museum staff say they are still negotiating the name of the collection.
The iwi has always maintained a guardianship (kaitiakitaka) role over their ancestral taoka (treasures) collection and been included in their care until now.
Anne Te Maiha¯roa Dodds, Tumaki of Waitaha, said she had been informed a large collection of artefacts found on Waitaha land are to be displayed when the museum reopens following a refurbishment – without any reference to Waitaha.
Many adzes and pounamu found on Waitaha ancestral land were collected by the Willetts’ family in 1953 and hold cultural and spiritual significance to the iwi.
Some of the almost 10,000 artefacts were exhibited in Oamaru, in 1990, as the Ancient Waitaha Taoka/Willetts’ Family Collection.
But Waitaha understands the museum has decided to name its upcoming exhibition, due to open next week, The Willetts’ Collection with no reference to Waitaha.
Te Maiha¯roa Dodds said museum staff had told her the name of the exhibition would be The Willetts’ Collection, and that it had been a unilateral decision by the museum.
‘‘Waitaha remind the museum that the leading name for the collection must be Waitaha Taoka, there were no other iwi present in 1200 AD,’’ Te Maiha¯ roa Dodds said.
Dr Kelli Te Maiha¯ roa (Waitaha tu¯ turu, Nga¯ ti Ra¯ ruatiawa, Atiawa) said Waitaha had been fully involved in the caretaking of the collection and was at a loss to understand why the museum would not acknowledge that.
‘‘It’s a real concern. It’s horrible for this to happen . . . we should be working together to recognise and understand the importance of tı¯puna (ancestors) taoka to indigenous people. Waitaha are the first iwi in the South Island since 850AD, these taoka were crafted by our tı¯puna.’’
Te Maiharoa said they had blessed the taoka before it travelled across the country for the mounts to be upgraded. They also helped clean and label the items.
The artefacts are the oldest and largest found in Aotearoa and the name change potentially threatens the ancestral connection between Waitaha descendants and their tı¯puna (ancestors) as the creators of the treasures, she said.
Speaking on behalf of Waitaha Taiwhenua Trust Board, she said Waitaha have been in Te Waipounamu (the South Island) for almost 1200 years and their ancient lineage is directly linked to the artefacts. Waitaha was the only iwi in the South Island until 1500 when Ka¯ ti Ma¯ moe arrived from the East Cape of the North Island (Te Ikaa-Ma¯ ui), she said.
The taoka were found at Korotuaheka at the mouth of the Waitaki River.
The Waitaki District Council renewed its 2011 Relationship Agreement with Waitaha in April 2016.
‘‘The agreement was updated between the parties in July this year without any sign of a change in this recognition.’’
Forrester Gallery and Waitaki Museum and Archive Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki acting director Chloe Searle said the deed of gift of the collection in 1996 has the name as the Stewart Willetts Family Collection.
‘‘It has often been referred to as the Willetts’ Collection ... the name Ancient Waitaha Taoka/Willetts’ Family Collection was not in use by the museum.’’
Searle said no decision had been made on the collection name as discussions are continuing, but the intention was to use a Ma¯ ori name.
‘‘As part of the museum refurbishment staff have been engaging with Te Ru¯ nanga o Moeraki and with Waitaha Taiwhenua o Waitaki Trust Board on an agreed Ma¯ ori name for this collection. The museum’s intention is to use a Ma¯ ori name alongside the Stewart Willetts’ Family Collection name.’’
Te Maiha¯roa said Waitaha acknowledged the deed of gifting was the Stewart Willetts’ Family Collection but it was her understanding the taoka have only ever been exhibited as Ancient Waitaha Taoka | Willetts’ Family Collection at the museum’s Forrester Gallery in 1990.
‘‘If the museum is intending to use a Ma¯ ori name, this is news to Waitaha. Whilst the collection may be known by Pa¯ keha¯ as the Willetts’ Collection, it is our toaka that were collected, and they remain the cultural property of Waitaha under Ma¯ ori lore as Waitaha Taoka.
‘‘There is a worldwide movement to repatriate taoka with indigenous people all across the globe. It is a poor indictment on our country that we can’t even get it right in our own backyard. Returning our ancestral name to our Waitaha taoka is one way of healing the trauma of colonisation and its ongoing effects felt – even today.’’
She said the council and museum had not been in touch with iwi for a week.
‘‘Waitaha believe that this is a breach of the recently signed Relationship Agreement and Te Tiriti of Waitangi principles of protection, partnership and participation,’’ she said.
Te Maiha¯ roa said she has made a formal complaint to the Manatu¯ Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage in the hope of receiving support and mediation for this ‘‘most pressing issue’’.
A ministry spokesperson said the ministry had not been included in discussions and it did not have a role in naming collections.
The Waitaki District Council was approached for comment and referred inquiries to the North Otago Museum.
‘‘It’s a real concern. It’s horrible for this to happen . . . we should be working together to recognise and understand the importance of t¯ıpuna (ancestors) taoka to indigenous people.’’
Dr Kelli Te Maiha¯ roa