MP's garments on show

Museum Theatre Gallery, Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland

The wardrobe of New Zealand's longest-serving female MP, Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan ONZ, will be exhibited at Museum Theatre Gallery Hawke's Bay (MTG).

Since Ms Tirikatene-Sullivan died three years ago, her family have gifted a large range of garments to Hawke's Bay Museums Trust.

Daughter May-Ana Tirikatene-Sullivan said her mother was a fashion icon.

"Fashion, family and politics were very important to my mother.

"We are pleased we can showcase her unique story and the work she did to put New Zealand on the map, by making a statement through fashion."

Ms Tirikatene-Sullivan was the Labour MP for Southern Maori for 29 years, from from 1967 to 1996.

She was the first female Maori cabinet minister and was also the first pregnant minister.

MTG director Douglas Lloyd Jenkins said the museum was thrilled to receive the clothing and showcase it in a unique exhibition.

"After more than a decade of working with Whetu and her whanau, the decision has been made to entrust the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust with this important collection of garments."

The exhibition will open on September 27 until March 2015.