In the spotlight 3: a claim to land and fame

Baron Charles Phillip Hippolytus De Thierry, self confessed King of New Zealand was so the history books say only known to himself. However, we hold an address to "white residents" of Hokianga printed in 1837 which asserts Baron De Thierry's claim to ownership of the Hokianga and outlines his intentions to form a settlement there with himself as the sovereign chief.
The address confers his sovereignty over New Zealand and his protection over his subjects(Maori). And all land dealings should be addressed to himself.

It caused quite a stir in its time and will be bound to raise a few eyebrows in the exhibition.

In the spotlight 2: treasures at Auckland City Libraries

From our manuscripts collection. A photograph of Maria Amina Manning and a moteatea, lament written and translated by her also. Maria was the daughter of the infamous Frederick Manning who was a merchant and judge amongst other things in the Hokianga. Frederick married Moengaroa, sister of the Te Hikutu chief, Hauraki. Maria was only two years old when her uncle Hauraki eventually died of his wounds in a fight against Hone Heke at Waikare. This moteatea, lament is dedicated to him.

This taonga will be part of the exhibition.

Te Huarahi 2: A search for Hokianga art

February 2007, with the help of Kohukohu's local gallery owners Wally Hicks and Lindsay McAuliffe-Evans a call went out to all artists living locally to submit artworks inspired by the environment, people or authority in Hokianga. Choosing taonga for the exhibition was hard, but a necessary task. The selection criteria was based on te ihi, te wehi, te mana me te tapu o nga taonga. The feeling ( prickles up the spine), the sense (the stories the pieces told, to touch and even the smell), the look and the emotions they evoked. It was a hard process, in the end we choose 135 items!

We'd like to thank everyone involved to Wally, Lindsay and Claire White for organising everything up at Rawene(the hiring of the hall, distribution of posters and the word-of-mouth media) and to all artisans who submitted taonga-your treasures. He mihi honore tenei ki a koutou katoa. Te Roopu Ratonga Maori Services Team.

This green crystal glass taonga above is called Kakariki Korukoru created by Robin Anaru Anderson. This kakahu taonga (woven) above is called Phoenix created by Dorothy Ramae MacKinnon. Both pieces will be showcased at the exhibition.

Te Huarahi: our 1st field trip to Hokianga

In November 2006, our group, Te Ropu Ratonga Maori Services Team journeyed to the Hokianga Harbour, 300 km away from the bright lights of Auckland city, Aotearoa. For a few of us it was a first time experience; and for others it was their turangawaewae, their home. Our home base in the Hokianga was in Waihou, and Waimirirangi marae was our sanctuary and we were made to feel very welcomed and comfortable by the home people there. Highlights on our trip were many, we met a lot of people and we got to see and film, someone receiving a Ta Moko, traditional Maori tattoo. We also visited many ancient sites, and learnt the lore of the land.
After witnessing the sunset and the moonrise on top of Arai te uru, on the southern side of the harbour; we took the long way home through Waipoua forest and returned to the harshness of the city lights. We came back with a great deal more knowledge, understanding and a deeper respect for Hokianga. And for all of us it was a realisation of the responsibility on our shoulders to ensure the integrity of the exhibition is of a very high standard.
The picture above is one of the many we've taken from the mouth of the Hokianga harbour looking over to Panguru on the northside.

In the spotlight:our theme

On our first visit to the Hokianga in November 2006, we circulated pamphlets promoting the exhibition. Titled, Hokianga: whakapau taniwha, whakapau ariki and whakapau tangata for a whakamarama and information visit Auckland City Libraries website here.

This whakatauki, proverb was inspired by those special but often hidden and often lonely taonga, treasures residing in the Special collections room of the Auckland central library.

The other inspiration and perhaps more importantly for Te Roopu Ratonga Maori, is our teams passion and deep connection to Hokianga, through our bloodlines and whakapapa to the people and environment.

We invite you to take a look at the theme and send in your whakaaro and comments.

This photo was taken at sunset on top of Arai te uru, on the southern side of Hokianga.