Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
English explorer James Cook’s visit to Tūranga is marked by suspicion, violence, and misunderstanding. Endeavour crew kill four Tūranga people. Nobody is held to account for the deaths.
Toiroa’s prophecy above foresees pakerewha and a time of darkness. He made this prediction three years before the Endeavour arrived.
Confusion and bloodshed followed the Endeavour’s arrival – as the animation below shows.
Tiwha tiwha te po
Ko te Pakerewha
Ko Arikirangi tenei ra te haere nei
Dark, dark is the night
It is the Pakerewha
It is Arikirangi who is coming this day
***
Ko Nukutere,
Ko Nukutere.
Ko Tawhiti,
Ko Tawhiti.
He Atua,
He Atua.
Ko te Pakerewha,
A ko te Pakerewha.
It is Nukutere,
It is Nukutere.
It is Tawhiti,
It is Tawhiti.
A God,
A God.
It is the Pakerewha,
It is the Pakerewha.
Explore the land, people, and stories of Rongowhakaata, an iwi whose unique art reflects their innate creativity, rich history, and innovative spirit.
Closed
29 Sep 2017 – 3 Feb 2022
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Zak Waipara created the animated film Tiwha, Tiwha Te Pō | Dark, Dark is the Night for our latest iwi exhibition, 'Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow'.
Articles, video, and more about Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata, whose exhibition Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow was on display at Te Papa 2017–2022.
