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Unfurling new perspectives, 250 years after first encounters

Historical artefacts meet contemporary art

Tākiri: An Unfurling 

Seven contemporary artists explore early Māori and European encounters through new work inspired by museum taonga.

Historical artefacts meet contemporary art as the national dialogue unfolds 250 years after the first on-shore contact between Māori and the crew of HMS ENDEAVOUR—including the Polynesian navigator Tupaia, and James Cook. 

Through soundscape, photography, illustration, cloth making, weaving and sculpture, each artist explores and confronts the ongoing impact of these historic events.

Explore the exhibition

THE ARTISTS

Contemporary artists respond to Tuia 250 

Responding to one of the most significant maritime events in Aotearoa's history, the group exhibition adds new perspectives to the ongoing national dialogue around the arrival of Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMS ENDEAVOUR 250 years ago.

  • Reweti Arapere (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
  • Chris Charteris (iKiribati, Fijian, English)
  • Kohai Grace (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa)
  • Nikau Gabrielle Hindin (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi)
  • Jasmine Togo-Brisby (Australian South Sea Islander)
  • Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāi Hinewaka, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Waewae) 
  • 7558 Collective

THE COMMEMORATION

Tuia Encounters 250

Tākiri: An Unfurling is part of the nationwide Tuia 250 commemoration and is supported by funding from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Te Puna Tahua, Chisholm Whitney Charitable Trust and Pub Charity. Tuia 250 was a national commemoration led by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage acknowledging 250 years since the first sustained onshore meetings between Māori and Europeans. A wānanga for the nation, Tuia 250 encouraged discussion and debate, reflection and contemplation and brings a broad range of perspectives to the stories that have shaped Aotearoa.

Opening Night

See the first reactions to the exhibition

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