Visiting the current exhibition Hākui: Women of Kāi Tahu was an insightful, valuable, special and rare experience. The Otago Museum, working closely with Whānau, rūnaka and iwi throughout New Zealand, have created a gallery space which tells the life stories of Kāi Tahu women, through writing, art, clothing, sound, music, and taonga such as pounamu and korowai. This exhibition provides a wealth of culture and heritage with an overall atmosphere of peace, as viewers are invited to learn more about and connect with the treasured stories of these Hākui.
Hākui opens with stunning karanga performed by Khyla Russell, alongside video projection work from Otago Polytechnic and Joe Gallagher videography. It is immediately clear that the space which you are about to enter is a sacred one; cleansing water rests at the entrance for those who wish to use it, alongside leaves for visiting whānau who choose to place them beside the stories of their tāua. The words “The genealogies of an individual are the threads of ancestral lives” are written near the space’s entrance as an introduction to the intricate webs of families focussed on throughout the gallery. Magnificent profiles and photographs of the Kāi Tahu women hang along the walls, complete with family lines, letters, and maps detailing their stories. The importance of family and whakapapa is impressed on the viewers, as well as the mythology and culture which shaped generations. Touch screens provide accurate pronunciations of Māori words and names, while treasures such as toki pounamu, cloak pins and kākahu are displayed throughout the space.
In the far corner of the exhibit, a listening space has been installed, where you can sit for a while and chill to the sounds of Haramai e Hine, a compilation of waiata by Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Komene Cassidy and Tahu Potiki. Their songs tell the stories of the Kāi Tahu migration to Te Waipounamu, while soothing images of Aotearoa’s gorgeous scenery play on screen.
As the exhibition progresses, you’re invited to listen to the 1999 radio show Whenua!, sit down in Aunty’s kitchen, learn how to braid, use poi, and play traditional string games.
If you’re visiting Aotearoa New Zealand from overseas, this exhibition provides a wonderful insight into Māori culture and the intricate lives of Kāi Tahu women. If you’re a local, definitely pay a visit for an experience that is special, intimate, and thought provoking.