Story: New Zealand identity

Te Māori exhibition

Te Māori exhibition

Megan Symonds and Phillip Gemmell from Tuai School, Waikaremoana, study a Ngāti Kahungunu poutokomanawa (post figure) at the Te Māori exhibition in 1986. Te Māori was an outstanding collection of Māori art work from throughout New Zealand which had originally been put together for display internationally.  In the United States it created much interest, and when the exhibition returned home large crowds flocked to see it. Te Māori was an important moment when Māori culture came to be seen as central to New Zealand identity both at home and in the way the country was represented abroad.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1986/4400/25-F
Photograph by Greg King

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Fiona Barker, 'New Zealand identity - New Zealand’s peoples', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/34618/te-maori-exhibition (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Fiona Barker, published 20 Jun 2012