Tuhinga 25

Tuhinga 25 presents a diverse selection of articles showcasing Te Papa’s scholarly work.

The journal opens with an analysis of the Hector family accounts from the early 1870s. The accounts give an insight into the lifestyle of James and Georgiana Hector when they lived in Museum House, next door to the Colonial Museum in Wellington. James Hector was director of the Geological Survey and Colonial Museum and his £800 annual salary and income from a marriage settlement meant his family were able to live well as part of the colonial social elite.

The second article examines and documents the history of a carved poupou (panel) depicting Taranaki rangatira (chief) Tītokowaru. The poupou was purchased for the Colonial Museum (now the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa) by Augustus Hamilton, director of the Museum, in 1905 and was loaned to the Department of External Affairs around 1953 for display at the newly opened New Zealand Embassy in Paris, France. Research in 2012 revealed its whereabouts and ensuing discussions allowed its return to Te Papa.

The third article explores New Zealand’s complex history of wildlife protection. At least 609 different pieces of legislation affecting the protection of native wildlife were passed between 1861 and 2013. Different pieces of legislation provided varying levels of protection for individual species and sometimes led to confusion about which species were protected. The reasons why species were protected are explained.

Download the complete journal or browse and download the individual articles below.