Te Papa’s first long-term exhibition since opening in 1998, Blood, Earth, Fire - Whāngai, Whenua, Ahi Kā: The Transformation of Aotearoa New Zealand takes you on an extraordinary journey of discovery through the changing landscape of New Zealand, and tells the dramatic story of how people have interacted with, and had an impact on, New Zealand’s land and resources over the last 800 years.
Opening on 29 April, the exhibition also explores what the land and its inhabitants looked like before humans came. It is rich with stories of how people have developed a sense of belonging here, and how people have come to love and care for this land they now call home.
People have transformed Aotearoa New Zealand from forests and wetlands to farms and cities. Along the way, thousands of new species have been introduced, and, sadly, many indigenous species have become extinct. For reasons of survival through to commercial enterprise, humans have had a significant impact on the natural resources of this land. However, this exhibition also celebrates the stories of the present and future that focus on the protection of endangered species, our unique flora and fauna, and the sustainability of this land.
“Blood, Earth, Fire presents an opportunity to learn about how this land once was, the significance of the land to Māori, how our ancestors survived off the land, and worked the land. It’s through sharing stories, research, and knowledge that we can better understand our responsibilities as New Zealanders to ensure the sustainability of this land for future generations, and how we can carry this knowledge forward as individual kaitiaki (guardians) of Aotearoa, ” said Dr Seddon Bennington, Te Papa’s Chief Executive.
The exhibition is dramatic in style. People are confronted with the ‘alien’ species that have been introduced to this land over the last 800 years and that have been instrumental in the enormous changes that have taken place here.
They then move through the early New Zealand landscape and see how rapidly settlers have changed the land using fire and saws. People will see how resources from the natural environment have been used over the years. Forests give way to farms and settlements. This process of land clearance is explored through strong imagery. There is a mechanical saw interactive where people can find out the effort expended in felling the greatest of this land’s indigenous trees, the kauri. But this land clearance and modification came at a cost. Hear a haunting lament for the huia, along with a recreation of the call of this bird, at a memorial to the species that have become extinct since the arrival of humans.
After this, people can visit The Land that Was. In this part of the exhibition, they will hear how the dawn chorus might have sounded a thousand years ago while viewing recreations of stout-legged moa, the laughing owl, adzebills, and a host of other creatures as they would have appeared in the incredible communities that once thrived in this land. Te Papa’s research has informed how the moa would have looked, producing the most accurate models of a stout-legged moa family to-date.
After this, people can discover the extraordinary efforts to which people go to save species and environments. These people are kaitiaki (guardians) of the land. Stories are told about the ways in which people have protected land and made a positive impact on the environment, and are working toward the sustainability of this land for future generations. And kids can explore a shipping container to find non-desirable aliens!
The Māori worldview is presented throughout the exhibition through beautiful taonga (treasures) that explore the relationships between humans and the whenua (land). Among the taonga you will see an ipu whenua (afterbirth container), rakau whakapapa (genealogy staff), a striking display of matau (fishing hooks and lures) and a dazzling interactive based on the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).
Blood, Earth, Fire culminates in a spectacular film, ‘My Place’, which introduces striking and beautiful places around the country where people will show you the place that is most important to them - their place!
An exciting line-up of free events and entertainment is planned to celebrate the opening weekend of Blood, Earth, Fire, including gumboot throwing, mini-zoo, weaving demonstrations, a wood-chopping display, and much more! (See attached programme.)
ENDS
Blood, Earth, Fire - Whāngai, Whenua, Ahi Kā: The Transformation of Aotearoa New Zealand
Experience the dramatic transformation of Aotearoa New Zealand in this fascinating, hands-on exhibition for all the family.
Opening 29 April 2006.
Level 3. Free entry.
Contact for further information or images:
Bridget MacDonald, Manager Communications, 029 601 0180, 04 381 7083, bridgetm@tepapa.govt.nz
Paul Brewer, Director Marketing & Communications, 021 532 920, 04 381 7023
Blood, Earth, Fire - Whāngai, Whenua, Ahi Kā: The Transformation of Aotearoa New ZealandOpening Weekend Events Programme!
Saturday 29
10am-5pm: John Deere Tractors - From One Horsepower to 300! Come and see a brand new tractor and a vintage one. Kids, climb aboard and see how it feels to ride up high like a farmer. Proudly presented by P&T Holdings Ltd, John Deere's local dealership. Te Papa Plaza, Level 1. Free entry.
10am-12 noon: Zippity Zoo. Meet Leigh-Anne and all her furry, woolly, feathery friends from Zippity Zoo. Learn about what they eat and where they live - and have a cuddle! Amphitheatre, Level 1. (If wet, event will be cancelled.) Free entry.
11am-3pm: Weaving demonstration. See weavers from Te Wananga o Raukawa Design and Art Centre at work in the new exhibition Blood, Earth, Fire - Whāngai, Whenua, Ahi Kā. Learn some of their techniques as they create artworks using traditional fibres. Inside the exhibition, Level 3. Free entry.
11am-12 noon: Make a moa mobile. Te Huka ā Tai, Level 4. Cost $2.
11am-12 noon & 2.30pm-3.30pm: Gumboot Throwing Competition. Hey kids! Show us what you’re made of at Te Papa’s first Gumboot Throwing Competition. Prizes for the best throws and the best-looking gumboots! After all, if it weren’t for your gumboots, where would you be? Amphitheatre, Level 1. (If wet, event will be cancelled.) Free entry.
12.30pm-1.30pm: Pets, Pests, and Protection! Calling young Kiwi conservationists! Join Tuatahi the Tuatara, Wally the Weed, and friends for fun and learning about how to protect our beautiful country and all its amazing creatures. Amphitheatre, Level 1. (Wet weather venue: Wellington Foyer, Level 2.) Free entry.
Sunday 30
10am-12 noon: Zippity Zoo. Meet Leigh-Anne and all her furry, woolly, feathery friends from Zippity Zoo. Learn about what they eat and where they live - and have a cuddle! Amphitheatre, Level 1. (If wet, event will be cancelled.) Free entry.
11am-12 noon: Create a woolly sheep magnet. NatureSpace, Level 2. Cost $2.
11am-12 noon: Gumboot Throwing Competition. Hey kids! Show us what you’re made of at Te Papa’s first Gumboot Throwing Competition. Prizes for the best throws and the best-looking gumboots! After all, if it weren’t for your gumboots, where would you be? Amphitheatre, Level 1. (If wet, event will be cancelled.) Free entry.
11am-3pm: Weaving demonstration. See weavers from Te Wananga o Raukawa Design and Art Centre at work in the new exhibition Blood, Earth, Fire - Whāngai, Whenua, Ahi Kā. Learn some of their techniques as they create artworks using traditional fibres. Inside the exhibition, Level 3. Free entry.
11.30am-12 noon: Karori Wildlife Sanctuary floortalk. Join Sanctuary staff to find out about their predator-proof fence and the secrets that have made this urban wildlife reserve such a success. Inside the exhibition Blood, Earth, Fire - Whāngai, Whenua, Ahi Kā, Level 3. Free entry
1pm-2pm: Wood chopping display. Watch those axes fly! Members of the Wellington Centre Axemen’s Association demonstrate wood chopping at its finest. Amphitheatre, Level 1. Free entry.