'Tuku Iho / Living Legacy' exhibition of tāonga Māori opens in Rotorua after international success

The Tuku Iho / Living Legacy exhibition at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, in October 2017. Photo / Supplied

An exhibition of tāonga Māori, which has already captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world, is being showcased in Aotearoa for the first time at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

The Tuku Iho / Living Legacy exhibition, which opened on Thursday, has toured Asia, South America and North America over the past five years, attracting critical acclaim and thousands of visitors at every stop.

Its showcase in Rotorua is its inaugural outing in New Zealand.

On show until November, manuhiri (visitors) will be able to experience Tuku Iho in its place of origin before it travels to Japan ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

Te Puia general manager sales and marketing Kiri Atkinson-Crean said after hugely successful exhibitions overseas, it was important and appropriate for Tuku Iho to come "home" to give New Zealanders and manuhiri alike the opportunity to view it in person.

"While its international showcase has opened the hearts and minds of millions around the world, its debut in Rotorua is an important milestone which helps ensure it remains connected to its place of origin."

Developed and delivered by NZMACI, Tuko Iho features significant works of art using wood, bone, stone and flax mediums, all handcrafted by students and tutors from the institute.

"Tuku Iho includes the very best pieces produced by graduates, students and tutors of NZMACI from the mid-20th century, through to today," Atkinson-Crean said.

"Our people come from the four corners of Aotearoa, reaching most geographic points and iwi within New Zealand. Our goal has always been for graduates to take their skills and knowledge back to their own people and continue the legacy of time-honoured Māori arts and crafts."

Atkinson-Crean said the objective of Tuku Iho was to create a unique environment for cultural conversations, enabling the sharing of knowledge and experiences between Māori and host nations across the globe.

"It provides the opportunity for Māori and New Zealand to reach across cultural and geographic boundaries, to forge and strengthen relationships in all areas – economic, social, cultural and political – and demonstrate the values these can bring to each culture."

The details
What: Tuku Iho / Living Legacy Māori culture exhibition
When: June 14 to November 9
Where: New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Puia
Cost: Visitors to Te Puia / NZMACI will be able to view Tuku Iho as part of their ticketed entry to the site, while Rotorua locals can visit Te Puia free of charge by applying for a free Whānau Card.