Kete Taniko (bag)

This beautiful and rare example of a kete tāniko (a bag with fine embroidery or weaving in a geometric pattern) has a variety of geometric designs. These have been made by weaving dyed muka (flax fibre) thread into chevron and triangle-based patterns.

Acquisition
This kete tāniko, together with a collection of other taonga Māori (Māori treasures), was acquired in 1907 from the high-ranking East Cape chief Matutaera (Tuta) Nihoniho (Ngāti Porou).

Matutaera (Tuta) Nihoniho
In 1865 Tuta, aged fifteen, entered into military service for the Crown during the New Zealand Wars. He went on to distinguish himself in active service, later attaining the rank of Captain, and was awarded the Sword of Honour by Queen Victoria, upon which was inscribed 'Te Aowera', the name of his hapū (sub-tribe).