Te Kuneroa o Kākahu Māori (The Evolution of Māori Clothing) is a static exhibition that explores the transformation of Māori clothing across nine pivotal eras. Curated by Kiri Nathan, it offers a deeply reflective and visually striking journey through time, culture, and identity.
The exhibition includes:
- Nine mannequins dressed in slow fashion and handwoven garments, each representing a distinct era in Māori clothing history.
- Each mannequin is paired with a towering pou (2.5–3 metres), carved from charcoal-treated wood, symbolising one of the nine whetū of Matariki.
- The pou are adorned with mana-enhancing pounamu crafted by Jason Nathan, grounding each era in celestial and cultural significance.
The exhibition reflects on how environmental shifts, colonisation, and social change have influenced the way Māori have made and worn clothing. It’s a celebration of cultural resilience, reclamation, and activism through fashion. The whakataukī “Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua” (“Look back to move forward”) encapsulates the exhibition’s ethos—honouring the past to inspire the future.
This exhibition invites all New Zealanders to see themselves in the evolving story of Māori clothing. It bridges cultural guardianship with national identity, positioning fashion as a medium for storytelling, remembrance, and aspiration.
Flat fee of $7.50 per day on weekends at Fanshawe Street carpark. Find out more.
Kids ride free on public transport on weekends and public holidays. Find out more.