Bodice and skirt

This is a bodice for a costume constructed from strips of hibiscus fibre. The main body of the garment is made from knotted fibres forming a net like structure. Hibiscus fibre flowers are attached to the shoulder and front edging of the garment. The centre of each flower is decorated with a single puka (pu'a) seed.

Significance

In 2010, the Te Lauhigano Tokelau group from Porirua, New Zealand gifted this garment and other items to Te Papa. The gifts symbolise the ongoing relationship the museum has with the Tokelau community. Te Lauhigano Tokelau was formed by Tokelauans to promote community development among their community in Porirua. The group was a formal Community Development project for the Wellington Regional Office of the Department of Internal Affairs.

Community development advisors from Internal Affairs worked with the group to ensure their access to resources, training, funding, workshops that would assist them in building their capacity to deliver to their community.

In September 2009, Te Lauhigano Tokelau held a week long annual general meeting which over 100 members attended. At the meeting they found that as New Zealand based Tokelau people, they have lost many aspects of their indigenous Tokelau culture.The objects represent Te Lauhigano Tokelau’s effort to ensure that future generations of Tokelauans learn the history and culture of who they are.

Acquisition history

This bodice and skirt is part of a collection of items manufactured and presented to Te Papa by members of Te Lauhigano Tokelau in February 2010.