"Mum inherited my great-grandmother's ability to be able to envisage a design, cut it out of newspaper and then make it."
Mr Lloyd-Jenkins said he got to know Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan in the last decade of her life - she died in 2011.
"It was wonderful to be able to work closely with her and for her to eventually understand this would be a great home for it."
News of what MTG had achieved had rippled through the rest of the country, Mr Lloyd-Jenkins said.
"Some of my colleagues and contemporaries, especially Te Papa, are agog - little bit of professional envy," he added with a laugh.
Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan on Waimarama Beach in the 1970s with Bare Island in the background. Photo / Supplied
He said the word "iconic" was too often used but in this case it suited perfectly.
"You hear people say 'oh I remember those'," he said of the almost universal reaction to photos of Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan, particularly in the stylish 1970s.
"She transcended fashion,"
May-Ana said. While many children may have been embarrassed about what their parents wore she found that as she was growing up she grew to emulate it.
"Mum always made sure we were exquisitely dressed - nothing ever clashed or was mis-matched."
She said her mother was also passionate for her fashion to embody her aspirations for Maoridom.
"It would have been easier for mum to wear a tweed suit but she gained international respect for putting Maoridom on the world stage through fashion."
Her vision was that of contemporary Aotearoa and she worked alongside many radical Maori artists of the time as well as leading Pakeha designers.
She was also keen to pave the way for working women in New Zealand - the bold colours and patterns turned heads, and drew admiration, as she walked the corridors of Parliament where she served as MP for Southern Maori (which took in Hawke's Bay) between 1967 and 1996.
She became the first Maori woman cabinet minister in 1972 and held the positions of Minister of Tourism, Minister for the Environment and Associate Minister of Social Welfare.
There was another milestone in 1970 - Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan became the first sitting MP to give birth.
"Mum carried her babies through the halls of Parliament with pride and designed clothes to ensure her pregnant belly wasn't obvious because in those days most pregnant women didn't have careers," her daughter said.
"She wore floating kaftans which complemented her belly and when we were born she designed clothing with bold patterns so no one could see our sticky little finger marks on her clothing."
Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan's husband Denis Sullivan said his late wife was a pathfinder who believed in no limits.
"During the 1960s most women didn't have careers but Whetu and I both felt we could have professional jobs and a family at the same time," he said.
"Her individuality and sense of style was portrayed through fashion - she made statements all her life."
He said his wife never limited herself to anything and stood out as a politician.
"I don't think any other MP has matched her sense of fashion and style. We want people to see her fashion designs and the impact she made."
He said if the family kept her remarkable wardrobe tucked away it would be "a waste".
"So it's wonderful the garments can be displayed in a museum exhibition."
Mr Lloyd-Jenkins said the exhibition would run within a 1970s themed display, centred on tourism within that era, and be staged in the two upstairs galleries.
"Her style has left an indelible mark on New Zealand culture and it is entirely appropriate for the collection to come to Hawke's Bay, a region so close to the heart of Whetu herself."
He said staff felt privileged to highlight "a remarkable icon of New Zealand fashion for the first time".
The exhibition would be heralded by a special event and celebration as it coincided with the grand opening of the MTG last year.
