Ngatu ta'uli (blackened tapa cloth)

This contemporary ngatu ta’uli made was by Tongan artist Kulimoe'anga Stone Maka, based in Christchurch. The undecorated tapa was made in Tonga by the artists' mother and sister then sent to Christchurch, New Zealand to be decorated.

Ngatu ta’uli (black tapa)

Ngatu ta’uli is considered the highest ranking bark cloth in Tonga and is traditionally made for Tongan royalty. This style of ngatu is distinctive for the black dye that covers the surface of the tapa cloth. This ngatu  ta’uli has a band of red dye in the centre and a small red circle on one corner. The fo'i hea motif comprised of three black dots is repeated three times along one end of the tapa cloth.

Acquisition history

This Ngatu ta'uli was purchased by Te Papa after its appearance in the exhibition Tonga 'i Onopooni at Pataka Art and Museum in 2014. Tonga 'i Onopooni was the first exhibition to focus exclusively on the work of contemporary Tongan artists living in New Zealand.