Story: Collecting

Waka huia obtained by James Cook

Waka huia obtained by James Cook

During James Cook's 18th-century voyages to New Zealand, he and other members of his expedition collected native flora and fauna and items made by Māori, including this waka huia (treasure box) now held by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. Made of wood, pāua shell and harakeke (flax), it would have contained treasured possessions such as hei tiki (neck pendants) or huia feathers before being given to Cook in 1776.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: OL000015

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

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Richard Wolfe, 'Collecting - Early collecting', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/37311/waka-huia-obtained-by-james-cook (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Richard Wolfe, published 5 Sep 2013