Te Paea Hinerangi was a famous guide in Rotorua. Her greenstone tiki carries fantastic stories of a ghostly canoe and the Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption. more>
The extinct Polynesian dog (kuri) provides gorgeous white fur for the most valuable of Maori cloaks. Simon Morton comes face to face with the kuri and the chief. more>
Poi take a fair beating in kapa haka. But you won't find the rare and delicate poi awe swinging in time to music. Elaborate weaving and tassles of dog hair make these poi particularly precious. more>
Researcher Hokimate Harwood puts feather cloaks under the microscope, with surprising results. It turns out weavers use feathers to autograph their work... more>
After a 6 month journey from Paris, there's an emotional homecoming for this precious carved taonga. A new chapter is beginning for the magnificent waka whakairo. more>
Te Papa is home to a number of precious carved taonga, although none quite like the impressive three-dimensional faces of the Ta Moko Panel. more>
This traditional storehouse or pataka, has clocked a few miles - 'Te Takinga' has been all the way to England and back. But one of its most important journeys was just down the street! more>
Matthew McIntyre-Wilson - A tatua was to a Maori warrior what a holster is to a cowboy. It's a type of belt made to carry a weapon, and for Maori they were woven from flax. more>
Matiu Baker discovers the mysterious past of a precious child's cloak. The result, a poignant reunion between whanau and the taonga of their cherished ancestor. more>
Find out how a cloak saved the life of a young boy in colonial New Zealand. more>
These Moriori house carvings are extremely precious in that they are the only ones that survive. Riria uncovers some of their story. more>
Kohai Grace explains to Riria the story behind her Matariki cloak and even lets her try it on! more>
Find out how a sword became an important symbol of peace. Te Waari Carkeek shares with us the history of Te Rauparaha's sword. more>
The lines of a moko carved in skin represent so much more than a tattoo. Practitioner, Mark Kopua explains the significance of facial moko. more>
Te Papa's Matiu Baker tells us the story of the powerful Taiaha named 'Te Rongotaketake'. more>
For generations, muttonbirds have been a Maori delicacy. But the hunting season is short, so how did they store them all year round? Simon starts with a large pile of slimy seaweed. more>
Have you ever flown a kite? Did you know that kites have been flown for centuries, in cultures all around the world? Maori made kites for several purposes, and Te Papa has two of only seven examples of traditional Maori kites in the world. more>
Mere were once weapons of war; now they may carry new stories of people and places that give them a different kind of strength. Piri Sciascia is the proud holder of three such mere. more>
The humble case moth is said to have inspired the beautiful shape and sounds of a special taonga puoro, or Maori musical instrument. How can that be? more>