Master carver's treasure on show after 128 years

Pukenga members John Waaka, Miriama Searancke and Anaru Rangiheuea with the pare.

A historic Te Arawa pare (carved door lintel) which was gifted to Queen Victoria in 1886 is back home after 128 years and on display at Rotorua Museum.

The pare is thought to be Ngati Tarawhai from the late 1800s, the time of master carver Wero Taroi.

This week members of the Rotorua Museum Te Pukenga Koeke blessed the taonga (treasure) at the museum where it is on display in the Nga Pumanawa o Te Arawa exhibition.

"It is good to have the pare back with Te Arawa again, showcasing the talent of the master carvers of the time" said Pukenga member, Anaru Rangiheuea.

The pare was gifted by the New Zealand Government to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, and was later passed to the Commonwealth Institute in London. When it closed in 2002 the pare transferred by Deed of Gift to the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum. In 2009, a number of items, including the pare, were deaccessioned and sold to an antiques dealer.

After changing hands several more times the pare was eventually sold to a private collector in New Zealand.

Staff from Rotorua Museum, Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Papa, and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, as well as trustees of the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, facilitated the return of the pare to Te Arawa in December 2012.

After consultation over the long term care of this taonga three trustees have been appointed from the museum's Pukenga Koeke, and have entrusted its care and display to Rotorua Museum.

Museum director Stewart Brown said he was "delighted" to have the pare on show 128 years after it left New Zealand.