Experts, enquiries & identification 

Sean Mallon

Position: Senior Curator History/Pacific Cultures
Qualifications: BA Anthropology and History, MA Anthropology
Research interests: Pacific art, Samoan society and culture, history of Pacific peoples in New Zealand

Safua Akeli

Position: Curator Pacific Cultures
Qualifications: BA (Hons) History and Psychology, MA History
Research interests: Pacific history, Pacific health, Samoan society and culture

Grace Hutton

Position: Collection Manager Pacific Cultures
Qualifications: BA Anthropology
Research interests: Cook Island society and culture, tīvaevae (Cook Islands quilting), Pacific textiles

Enquiries & Identification

The Pacific team receives various types of enquiries from members of the public. These include enquiries about background information on specific Pacific peoples and their material culture, as well as the identification of objects. Requests to view the Pacific collections can be made by prior appointment. You are most welcome to contact us on ph: (04) 381 7000.

Find out more about the work we undertake with the Pacific Communities.

Books and videos on the Pacific and related material can be found in:

Collections talk as part of Pacific festival

Sean Mallon discussing Collection Objects at the opening of Tangata o le Moana.

View the armour in Collections Online