Upskilling to safeguard at-risk taoka and mātauraka Māori

A wānanga to give kaimahi practical skills and knowledge in collection care has given the team at Te Unua Museum of Southland valuable insight into the safe-guarding of at-risk mātauraka and taoka.

For Te Unua kaitiaki mana taoka Tyra Ryan (Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Waitaha), Te Pūranga Wānanga provided practical knowledge on disaster preparedness, including different salvage techniques for taoka and resources that could support her mahi.

The kōrero – including experiences from kaimahi at Te Papa during Cyclone Gabrielle – also highlighted the importance of relationships and whānaukataka when responding to an emergency.

“This wānanga showed me that being prepared isn’t just about knowing what to do individually. It’s about working together, communicating effectively, and understanding the strengths and knowledge each person brings to the team. It reinforced for me that strong relationships, whānaukataka, and a supportive team are essential when caring for and protecting our taoka,” she said.

“There’s so much value in learning from others’ experiences and knowledge, while also building relationships with people working on the same kaupapa. For me, it has made me excited to continue learning, developing my skills, and growing my understanding within this kaupapa. I am looking forward to taking what I have learnt into my mahi and continuing to build on that knowledge over time.”

The wānanga is a collaboration between the National Library of New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and National Services Te Paerangi at Te Papa is an initiative that came from a Ministry for Culture and Heritage-funded programme.