Ancient Taonga Brought To Life

Ancient Taonga Brought To Life

The history and ancestors pertaining to a collection of Maori taonga are brought to life in a new series premiering on Maori Television next month.

TAMAKI PAENGA HIRA is a brand new historical series and the first ever co-production with the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The Maori language series takes its name from the Maori name for the museum and premieres on Maori Television with English subtitles on October 19.

In the first episode we look at the story of a mere pounamu with many namesakes, Te Kaoreore. The name Kaoreore seems to have been a popular one throughout history and the particular one that is the focus of this episode has a dramatic history.

This episode features interviews with Mauriora Kingi and Rawiri Rangitauira as they explain the origins of two of the kaoreore mere prominent in Te Arawa history. There is also a re-enactment of the Hatupatu and Raumati story and the story of how Tama Ahua found the greenstone block giving rise to the name Kaoreore.

Museum interim director Sir Don McKinnon says never before has the museum partnered with a television channel to conceive and produce a programme about their collections in te reo Maori.

“Through this partnership with Maori Television we’re aiming to reach the widest possible audience, both Maori and non-Maori, who have a thirst for knowledge about ancestry and a desire to learn things about this country that can’t always be found in history books.

“In reaching out to connect with iwi we have invited them to tell their stories and express their feelings about taonga being in the museum.”

“The final production upholds the memory of those who have gone before and the treasures they have left behind. It honours the taonga they have created, their descendants, and the role of the museum as trusted guardian,” says Sir McKinnon.

TAMAKI PAENGA HIRA explores the past of 13 taonga housed in the Maori court of the Auckland War Memorial Museum over 13 episodes, giving a unique insight into the lives of the ancestors they represent.

Each episode is devoted to an item from the collection and will feature dramatic re-enactments of the events and people behind the taonga.

Presented by Tihini Grant (Te Arawa, Ngati Pikiao), TAMAKI PAENGA HIRA uncovers the past, present and future of each piece and the role the museum plays in preserving the mauri of the taonga for generations to come.

“The opportunity to be part of a series that honours and brings to light the impressive stories behind the taonga housed at the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a privilege in itself, to be able to bring these stories to life is a tribute to the memories of our tipuna,” says Mr Grant.

ENDS

TAMAKI PAENGA HIRA premieres on Maori Television (with subtitles) from 19 October at 9pm.

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