Mahi to bring the stories of Murihiku to life is well underway, after Invercargill City Council and Waihōpai Rūnaka formalised an agreement to collaborate on developing Te Unua Museum of Southland.

Waihōpai Rūnaka is working with Council on behalf of Kāi Tahu Kā Rūnaka ki Murihiku (which includes Awarua, Waihōpai, Ōraka-Aparima, and Hokonui Rūnaka) to develop the experience within the museum.

Two wānaka (workshops) have been held by Kā Runaka alongside the Council team, to determine kaupapa to guide exhibition development.

Waihōpai Rūnaka Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) Cyril Gilroy said it was an exciting opportunity to share tribal stories with the wider Murihiku community.

“Each Rūnaka has its own pūrakau (stories) unique to their identity and the history of Murihiku. By sharing these stories, we invite our communities to walk in the footsteps of our tīpuna (ancestors).

“Sadly, museums have often misrepresented Māori historically, telling personal stories without the involvement of mana whenua. In Murihiku, this changes with Te Unua. We’re pleased to bring together our own cultural narratives and share them with our communities and manuhiri (visitors).”

Te Unua Museum of Southland Museum Director Eloise Wallace said it was crucial to work closely with mana whenua.

“Ensuring the stories of mana whenua are celebrated within Te Unua Museum of Southland is extremely important in developing the experience for visitors to our facility,” she said.

“The abundance of stories and history found here in Murihiku are unlike those found anywhere else in the world. Exploring these not only offers visitors to Te Unua Museum of Southland a deeper insight into what makes this part of Aotearoa so special, but also plays a role in preserving this legacy for everybody in our community – from tangata whenua to tauiwi – for generations.

“We are really grateful to Kā Rūnaka for being willing to share their stories and taoka with our community. It is a privilege we do not take lightly, and our team feels a deep sense of responsibility in sharing this rich cultural experience as an integral pou within our facility.”

Cyril Gilroy said a series of wānaka are being held with cultural and subject matter experts. Mana whenua would then work with the experience design team to craft immersive displays using the latest audio-visual technology.

“They will go beyond our migration stories and broader Kāi Tahu history to include rich pūrakau unique to Murihiku. This will be the only museum in the country sharing these stories.

“At Murihiku Marae, we are excited to share pūrakau about our surrounding mauka (mountains) and waterways. One example is the toheroa (surf clam) found on Ōreti beach. It sustained our tīpuna and like tītī (mutton bird), was used for trade. More recently, mana whenua helped to protect it from overharvesting when canning factories threatened its population. Today, it is enjoyed by whānau all over Murihiku as a delicacy.”

Te Unua Museum of Southland Team Leader Experience David Dudfield said he was thrilled to begin exploring pūrakau with mana whenua.

“There are few places within Aotearoa that have a history as rich as Murihiku and Te Ara a Kiwa (Foveaux Strait). Our team is looking forward to collaborating with mana whenua, in partnership with our experience designers Gibson International, to share their stories with visitors from around the world.”

Cyril Gilroy said his vision for the museum was a space where all cultures and communities were represented.

“Te Unua marks the beginning of a new era for Murihiku. The knowledge and history contained within its walls represents the shared inheritance we will leave for our mokopuna.

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