Story: Biculturalism

Te Papa marae (2nd of 3)

Te Papa marae

Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum in Wellington, was designed from the beginning as a bicultural institution. The museum ‘acknowledges the unique position of Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand and the need to secure their participation in the governance, management and operation of the Museum’. The meeting house Te Hono ki Hawaiki, shown here, and carved by a team led by the museum’s inaugural kaihautū Cliff Whiting (Te Whānau–a–Apanui) stands in the museum’s marae, Rongomaraeroa. The panels in front represent Māori stories and traditions, while those at the rear stand for the non-Māori who have made New Zealand their home.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Janine Hayward, 'Biculturalism - Biculturalism in the state sector', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/32146/te-papa-marae (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Janine Hayward, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 10 Jan 2023 with assistance from Janine Hayward