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Overview
This is a waist garment worn as part of a dance costume. It is attributed to the Cook Islands based on its method of construction and the maker’s choice of dyes,
Construction
The garment consists of a waistband with a circular rosette of yellow and light purple fibre at its centre. Along the length of the band are attached strips of purple dyed fibre. On top of these fibres is a shorter row of yellow and light purple tassels.
Significance
This waist garment is part of a collection associated with Frank Corner, a New Zealand diplomat who worked in London as Deputy High Commissioner between 1952 and 1958, and later in the Pacific Islands.In 1961, Corner became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations. He chaired the Trusteeship Council for two years, and served on the United Nations Security Council. Corner was the leading proponent of decolonisation of Pacific territories under New Zealand control, and provided the leading intellectual arguments in favour of decolonisation of Tokelau, the Cook Islands,Niue,and Western Samoa.
Acquisition History
This waist garment is part of a collection donated to Te Papa by Victoria Corner in 2018.