Ngaati Hauaa taonga from collections across Aotearoa will be brought together for the first time in a major new exhibition opening at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery.
Opening this Saturday, Whakahokia! Ngaati Hauaa, our taonga, whakapapa and koorero brings together treasured objects from local and national collections and follows a national survey of Ngaati Hauaa taonga.
For the first time, the exhibition shares the history of Ngaati Hauaa from their own perspective, in a celebration of whakapapa, resilience and ongoing strength.
Whakapapa is at the heart of the exhibition, which honours the voices of those who carried its stories forward and acknowledges those who hold them now. Above all, Whakahokia! recognises that the taonga of Ngaati Hauaa continue to live through the people and places to which they belong by exploring the lives and aspirations of Ngaati Hauaa today.
Curator Maree Mills (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) says “it was a privilege to undertake this research for Ngaati Hauaa and to work alongside the working group to discover the significant taonga held in local and national collections across Aotearoa. Bringing them back together creates a powerful opportunity for current and future generations to reconnect with their history and celebrate the legacy of their tuupuna that continues today.”
Museum Director, Rachael Davies says Whakahokia! is part of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery’s commitment to mana whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“This exhibition places Ngaati Hauaa voices at its centre, ensuring their history is told through their own perspectives, experiences and whakapapa.
“We hope that bringing together taonga of Ngaati Hauaa that have been held in collections across the country will strengthen connections for present and future generations, while maintaining ahikaa for all iwi and hapuu who whakapapa to Kirikiriroa to see their histories, taonga and perspectives reflected within the Museum.”
The exhibition title, Whakahokia! was gifted by the advisory roopuu of Mike Ross, Mokoro Gillett, Robyn Roa, Sonny Karena and Barbara Moke.
Exhibition information:
Whakahokia! Ngaati Hauaa, our taonga, whakapapa and koorero
Saturday 29 August 2026 – Saturday 6 February 2028
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery, Kirikiriroa Hamilton
Free entry.
