This exceptional book highlights over 120 taonga tuku iho (ancestral Maori treasures) from Te Papa's collections. Rich images of these precious objects, are accompanied by stories from the artists who created the taonga, the people who used them in daily life, and their living descendants. Items include traditional carvings, weapons, waka huia (treasure containers), jewellery, and taonga such as puppets used by tohunga (ritual experts) and tools for tamoko (customary skin marking). Maps, diagrams, and additional photographs - both archival and contemporary - elaborate on the making of the taonga, and elucidate Maori life, art, and beliefs.

Table of Contents

Contents include: Maori: A living culture -- Taonga tawhito: Treasures from early times -- Waka: Finding safe passage across water -- Pataka: A chief's storehouse -- Wharenui: The ancestral meeting house -- Ta moko: Carving the skin -- Waka huia and papa hou: Treasure containers -- Taonga puoro: Music of the gods -- Nga taonga a Tangaroa: Fishing -- Kakahu and whatu raranga: Woven garments, woven treasures -- Nga rakau a Tu: Weaponry -- Taonga whakarakai: Items of adornment.

Author Biography

Huhana Smith (Ngati Tukorehe, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga) is senior curator, Maori at Te Papa. She led the Matauranga Maori section for Icons Nga Taonga (Te Papa Press, 2003) and was the general editor of Taiawhio: Conversations with Contemporary Maori Artists (Te Papa Press, 2002). Arapata Hakiwai (Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou, Kai Tahu) is Te Papa's Director, Matauranga Maori. He has extensive museum experience, including over twelve years at Te Papa and the previous National Museum as a curator.