Te Whare Taonga o Taketake - Whakatāne Museum Collections and Research

Te Whare Taonga o Taketake - Whakatāne Museum Collections and Research We’re kaitaiki of 600,000 taonga & historical collections & passionate about sharing their kōrero. Ngā mihi.

At Te Whare Taonga o Taketake we are kaitiaki of precious taonga from Aotearoa and beyond. We love to share their stories to promote a strong sense of whānau, hapū, iwi and community identity through connection to the collections. With more than 600,000 items in our care, our collections include significant examples of Taonga Māori, a comprehensive range of archival material from the Whakatāne Dis

trict and the Bay of Plenty region, and an extensive photographic collection covering the physical and social history of the past century. PAE KOHIKOHINGA / FEATURED COLLECTIONS:

🌺 Taonga Māori and Pacific
📷 Photographic – Whakaahua
🎨 Fine Art - Toi
🦋 Natural Environment – Puna Taiao
👗 Social History – Puna Pāpori
✈️ International

A small, passionate team of professional staff, volunteers and collaborators work hard to care for the collections, produce great displays, run dynamic tours and education programmes, and promote local heritage. We're passionate about providing research access, sharing our expertise in caring for taonga, and connecting people with the wonderful natural and cultural heritage of the Mataatua rohe and beyond. MODERATION POLICY

We openly welcome your comments and encourage discussion on our posts as appropriate. We ask that you are polite and respectful with your comments and views. If your comment is irrelevant to the particular post or there is a history of commenting that is deemed of a negative sentiment, the comment may be removed and the user temporarily blocked. There is a enough negativity about the place on social media, please don't add to it. We reserve the right to hide or remove harmful posts or comments from this page. This includes any post or comment containing disrespectful, rude, or abusive language; direct personal attacks or disclosure of private information or details of elected members or staff, other Facebook users or individuals; objectionable material; and unsolicited advertising, marketing or spam. If your contributions fail to comply with Facebook’s terms, and/or the above rules, then you may be blocked from posting to this page.

Lewis Gardiner In 1994, he graduated in Māori Craft and Design at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua. Durin...
02/06/2026

Lewis Gardiner

In 1994, he graduated in Māori Craft and Design at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua. During his final year, he was introduced to the valuable medium of pounamu (New Zealand Greenstone) and was immediately attracted to its artistic possibilities. In 1995, he became a full-time pounamu and bone carver specializing in traditional Māori imagery. Since then he has developed his own style and helped shape other carvers’ perspectives on the use of pounamu.

Winning the bi-annual Mana Pounamu Awards for contemporary Māori design in 1999, 2001, and 2003, further enhanced his reputation as one of the major pounamu artists. In 2009, Lewis was appointed as the inaugural Tumu Whakairo (Head of School) of Te Takapū O Rotowhio (the National Stone and Bone Carving School) at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute with his focus on creating pathways for his students.

Lewis vacated this role in 2013 to continue his own artistic development. He looked to form a co-operative with fellow practitioners of cultural artistic excellence who shared his ideal of traditional practices with contemporary application, many of these practitioners are his former students who are striving for their own “Artistic excellence” as part of the Rākai team.

📸

Julie Ngamotu“I was introduced to this 3 year weaving programme in 2008, Toi Paematua Raranga (level 4) and my kaiako we...
01/06/2026

Julie Ngamotu

“I was introduced to this 3 year weaving programme in 2008, Toi Paematua Raranga (level 4) and my kaiako were Cilla Morrison and Roberta Elliot. They were so patient and generous of their time with me and I was so amazed at what I learnt in there years of their tutoring (I was not the most natural student in ability, but that 3 years was the most worthwhile of any education, and the most enjoyable). Ive recently come back to carry on with this craft, while my fingers are still nimble and to encourage my whanau to do the same.”

👑 King's Birthday hours 🏛️Te Whare Taonga o Taketake will be CLOSED Monday, 1 June for King's Birthday.We return on Tues...
28/05/2026

👑 King's Birthday hours 🏛️
Te Whare Taonga o Taketake will be CLOSED Monday, 1 June for King's Birthday.
We return on Tuesday, 2 June with taonga and stories to share with whānau.
Kia pai te mutunga wiki roa / Enjoy the long weekend 💚

Kauri Wharewera is a Māori visual artist from Whakatāne (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Kahung...
28/05/2026

Kauri Wharewera is a Māori visual artist from Whakatāne (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Kahungunu), a graduate of the Masters programme at Toioho ki Āpiti. His work blends tikanga Māori with digital tools, using light, laser and photography techiques to create moving, Tukutuku-inspired works that reimagine traditional patterns in contemporary ways. Alongside this, Kauri is a practicing tā moko artist, using moko as a way to support healing, strengthen identity, and connect people back to their whakapapa and communities. Across both his digital and tā moko practice, his mahi is grounded in mātauranga Māori, storytelling, and keeping culture alive in modern spaces.

Te Tukutuku o Ranginui raua ko Papatuanuku
Digital media

Te Tukutuku o Ranginui raua ko Papatuanuku is a contemporary tukutuku panel constructed by capturing light trails emitted by a laser pointer.

This tukutuku references important stages within the creation narrative, (Te Kore, Te Po, Te Ao Marama) by the different arrangements of sequences, patterns and layers that are present within the work. The use of light reflects the narrative as well as an ever-changing environment. Aspects of symmetry within the series play with the idea of duality and partnership with subtle abstract figures generated between main features symbolising growth and opportunity. It is accompanied with the audio of a dawn chorus of native species, a reminder of our universe being sung into existence.

This illuminated globe stands as an acknowledgement of all living things expressing the extreme scale of change needed in order to attain a healthier future, globally, nationally, spiritually, culturally and individually.

“ ka mārama, ka mārama, tākiri ko te ata, kōrihi ko te manu, he manu kororī he manu kororā, kōrerotia mai nō tuawhakarere nau mai I te ao, haere ra i te pō, e hī ake ana te atākura, he tio, he huka, he hauhu

Tihei mauriora

Raised in Matatā, Mark Sykes’ journey into weaving began with early influences from his great-aunts, who were skilled in...
26/05/2026

Raised in Matatā, Mark Sykes’ journey into weaving began with early influences from his great-aunts, who were skilled in crochet and knitting. His introduction to harakeke in the late 1990s, beginning with the making of simple putiputi, sparked a deeper commitment to mahi raranga. A pivotal moment came in 2000 while attending a weaving class in Edgecumbe, where he was introduced to the realm of Hineteiwaiwa.

His practice has been shaped by the guidance of respected weavers including Georgina Tukiri, Ria Davis Te Kanawa, and Eddie Maxwell, alongside a wider network of Māori artists and mentors. In 2003, Mark began formal study at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, completing a Bachelor of Art and Visual Culture in 2008. During this time, he also undertook an internship at Whakatāne Museum, marking the beginning of his work within museum and collection spaces.

In 2009, Mark moved to Pōneke to complete postgraduate study in Museum and Heritage Studies. He later joined Te Papa as Kaitiaki Taonga Māori Collections Manager, where his work centres on the care, preservation, and stewardship of taonga Māori, specializing in Taonga Maori Textiles.

Working across materials such as muka/whītau, pīngao, harakeke, and kiekie, Mark’s practice reflects a deep respect for the unique processes each material requires. Grounded in kaitiakitanga, his work is guided by tikanga, karakia, and the wairua of taonga. He is committed to preserving knowledge for future generations, strengthening relationships with whānau and iwi, and contributing to the ongoing evolution of Māori weaving, including the visibility of male weaving traditions within contemporary Aotearoa.

Glenda Hape Ko Ngāti Rangataua te Hapū Ko Te Pāhou te Marae Ko Rangataua te Whare Tipuna Ko Hinekete te Wharekai Ko...
25/05/2026

Glenda Hape

Ko Ngāti Rangataua te Hapū
Ko Te Pāhou te Marae
Ko Rangataua te Whare Tipuna
Ko Hinekete te Wharekai
Ko Te Pāhou te Whenua

Kākahu - Te Aho Rangataua
Clear plastic, black and white imagery, irrigation hose.

This work weaves his story through kō and a pixelated kākahu. Up close, the surface reveals many lives and layers. Step back, and a single figure emerges - Rangataua, present within his descendants.

Kō - Te Ringa o Rangataua
Kō - Te Upoko o Rangataua
Kō - Ka Tahi Ano
Perspex, irrigation hose, black and white imagery

Rangataua of Ngāti Pukeko was born in Tāneatua, a Rangatira shaped by battle, whenua, and whakapapa. Remembered for his mahi māra and manākitanga, his legacy endures through his people.

Glenda J. Hape is a contemporary and traditional weaver who lives and works in Whakatane, in 2009 graduated with a Bachelor’s of Māori Visual Arts from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. While there she explored the movement of contemporary art. Her artistic practice involves exploring traditional and contemporary weaving techniques, of incorporating multimedia elements and sustainable materials.

Glenda’s artist style blends traditional Māori methods with modern creative expressions.

Priscilla (Cilla) Morrison began weaving in the late 1990s under the guidance of Katarina Waiari, working alongside nga ...
22/05/2026

Priscilla (Cilla) Morrison began weaving in the late 1990s under the guidance of Katarina Waiari, working alongside nga kuia o Uiraroa Marae, Te Teko to create whāriki. In those early years, she balanced her growing weaving practice with motherhood, finding strength, support, and belonging within the weaving community.

She later joined a korowai programme with Ria Davis, contributing to korowai for Uiraroa Marae and Tūteao Marae. In 2003, Cilla began co-leading weaving classes in Te Teko through Te Whakatōhea and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and also taught in Ōpōtiki until 2014, helping lay the foundation for what is now Te Teko Raranga.

Following the Edgecumbe floods, Cilla played an important role in supporting the community through the relief centre at Te Teko Memorial Hall, the same space where the weaving group continues to gather.

Influenced by weavers including Katarina Waiari, her granny Pirihita Ngamare-Patrick and her own mother Mere (Mary) Langdon (daughter of Pirihita), Cilla has developed a practice grounded in both inherited knowledge and self-directed learning. Beginning with kete and whāriki, she now focuses on whatu muka, while continuing to mentor and support the next generation of kairaranga.

You can find Cilla’s raranga at the in the Te Teko Raranga exhibit.

Ka maumahara tonu tātau ki a rātau / We will remember them ❤️Te Whare Taonga o Taketake is closed on ANZAC Day, Saturda...
22/04/2026

Ka maumahara tonu tātau ki a rātau / We will remember them ❤️
Te Whare Taonga o Taketake is closed on ANZAC Day, Saturday 25 April, and on Monday 27 April in observance of the public holiday.
We are back to normal hours on Tuesday, 28 April and look forward to seeing you then.
Tēnā koutou i ngākaunui mai / Thanks for your understanding 🙌

Professor Lachy Paterson held a talk on ‘Preserving New Zealand’s newspaper heritage’, hosted by Whakatāne Historical So...
17/04/2026

Professor Lachy Paterson held a talk on ‘Preserving New Zealand’s newspaper heritage’, hosted by Whakatāne Historical Society.
A keen crowd of around 30 gathered to learn all about the history of small-town newspapers, and the process of digitising them. Professor Paterson focused on the unmeasurable value of these papers as historical records and explained the copyright limitations that we face today. Attendees gained useful knowledge in how we can preserve our local stories and heritage before it is lost.

📣 REMINDER: Professor Lachy Paterson talk happening TODAY @ 2pm!Haere mai - come along to this FREE talk by Professor La...
09/04/2026

📣 REMINDER: Professor Lachy Paterson talk happening TODAY @ 2pm!

Haere mai - come along to this FREE talk by Professor Lachy Paterson on preserving New Zealand's newspaper heritage. Event open to the public - please feel welcome to attend.
Any New Zealander with a computer and a passion for the past is sure to have dabbled on “Papers Past”, perusing our country’s historical newspapers. Unfortunately, not all papers have been digitised and put online. Indeed, some titles are held by community groups, or in small museums and libraries, at risk of being lost due to deterioration, accident, or simply being taken to the dump.

Address

51-55 Boon Street
Whakatane
3120

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+6473060505

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