Tāoga Niue Museum

In this article, we will explore the topic of Tāoga Niue Museum from different perspectives, analyzing its impact on current society and the implications it has for the future. Tāoga Niue Museum is a topic that has generated debates and controversies in various areas, and it is important to deepen its understanding to have a more complete and enriching panorama. Throughout this article, we will examine different studies, expert opinions, and concrete examples to shed light on Tāoga Niue Museum and offer a comprehensive view of its relevance today.

Tāoga Niue Museum
PredecessorHuanaki Cultural Centre & Museum
Formation2018
HeadquartersAlofi
Director
Moira Enetama

19°03′08″S 169°55′17″W / 19.05220°S 169.9214°W / -19.05220; -169.9214Tāoga Niue Museum is a national museum and cultural centre located in Alofi, Niue. It replaced the Huanaki Cultural Centre & Museum, which was destroyed by Cyclone Heta in 2004.

Background

In 2004 Cyclone Heta hit Niue, damaging much of the capital, Alofi. Damage included the destruction of the Huanaki Cultural Centre & Museum building, and the loss of between 90–95% of the collection. Restoration of the museum and cultural preservation was recognised as an important aspect of the Government of Niue's strategic plan 2009–13. Construction for the new museum began in 2018, funded with a US$2.7 million grant from the New Zealand government. The new museum opened in October 2018. The opening coincided with Niue's celebrations of its constitution, which, for the first time, were held at a location away from parliament at the new museum.

The museum includes an auditorium, cafe, storage facility and stage, as well as a display space. In 2019 the museum hosted an exhibition as part of the Taoga Niue Festival.

Collections

Following Cyclone Heta, between 5–10% of the museum collection was salvaged. Salvaged objects included those relating to Niue and the First World War, including photographs and a uniform, as well as examples of weaving from Niue. Objects that were lost included two fragments of Niuean throwing stones. Director of Taoga Niue, the governmental department overseeing cultural activities, Moira Enetama, described the situation as "not only a loss of material culture but a loss of belongingness, the ownership, the head and the intangible heritage of Niue".

In 2005 the museum also began to rebuild its collection, which now includes award-winning woven hats that were displayed in New Zealand. Museum staff also scavenged rubbish dumps across the island for objects that would help to rebuild the collection. One example were hand woven fishnets, the craft of which is no longer practiced in Niue. The museum also travelled to all areas of the islands buying objects from traditional artists. MP Va'aiga Tukuitonga recognised the urgency in updating the collection, as well as preserving cultural knowledge held in Niue, which has an aging population.

Overseas collections

A significant amount of Niue's cultural and scientific heritage is held in collections overseas. One of the most common items in overseas collections are hiapo – traditional woven barkcloths specific to Niue.

Te Papa holds 291 objects from Niue: the earliest object in their collection is a Niuean maka (throwing stone), which was presented in 1869 by Rev. John Inglis. The British Museum's Niuean collection includes clubs, barkcloth, money, and other items. Perth Museum in Scotland holds two wooden spears from Niue. Glasgow Museums holds a fishing line made from human hair, as well as model canoes and other objects. The Horniman Museum holds barkcloth, a noseflute, spears and other objects. The Australian Museum holds the type specimens for Niue's only endemic butterfly Nacaduba niueensis (Niue Blue).

Repatriation

From 2016, the museum expressed its intention to request the repatriation of objects that are held in overseas collections. In 2007 Auckland War Memorial Museum returned the skull of an islander that was in its collection to community representatives in Auckland. The remains were taken to a Niuean church, then subsequently re-buried in Niue.

Gallery of Niuean objects in overseas collections

References

  1. ^ Barnett, Jon; Ellemor, Heidi (2007). "Niue after Cyclone Heta". Australian Journal of Emergency Management. 22 (1): 3–4.
  2. ^ Barnett, Jon (2008-06-01). "The Effect of Aid On Capacity To Adapt To Climate Change: Insights From Niue". Political Science. 60 (1): 31–45. doi:10.1177/003231870806000104. ISSN 0032-3187. S2CID 155080576.
  3. ^ a b c Pasisi, Jessica Lili (2020). Kitiaga mo fakamahani e hikihikiaga matagi he tau fifine Niue: tau pūhala he tau hiapo Niue women's perspectives and experiences of climate change: a hiapo approach (Thesis thesis). The University of Waikato.
  4. ^ Niue National Strategic Plan: 2009–13 (PDF). Fakatufono Niue.
  5. ^ a b c Global, Loop (2016-11-23). "New museum to give home to Niue's culture and heritage". Loop Tonga. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Museum staff in Niue are working to restore its treasures". RNZ. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  7. ^ Pacific, Loop (2018-10-17). "Niue museum opens this week". Loop Samoa. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  8. ^ "Niue museum opens this week". RNZ. 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  9. ^ "Taoga Museum Exhibition | Taoga Festival Niue". www.taogafestivalniue.com. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  10. ^ a b c "Art & Culture". The Official Website Of Niue Tourism. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  11. ^ "Niue's war effort unrecognised - Cook Islands News". 2021-10-25. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  12. ^ ISAAC, BARBARA; ISAAC, GWYNEIRA (2011). "Unexpected Trajectories: A History of Niuean Throwing Stones". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 120 (4): 369–401. ISSN 0032-4000. JSTOR 41705894.
  13. ^ "Loading... | Collections Online – Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  14. ^ "Collections Online | British Museum". www.britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  15. ^ Haddow, Eve. Perth Museum & Art Gallery: Niue Collection (PDF). National Museums Scotland.
  16. ^ Haddow, Eve. Glasgow Museums: Niue Collection (PDF). National Museums Scotland.
  17. ^ "Horniman Museum and Gardens". Horniman Museum and Gardens. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  18. ^ "Niue Blue Nacaduba niueensis". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  19. ^ a b Fforde, Cressida; McKeown, C. Timothy; Keeler, Honor (2020-03-05). The Routledge Companion to Indigenous Repatriation: Return, Reconcile, Renew. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-39887-9.
  20. ^ "Museum returns stolen Niue skull". Stuff. 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  21. ^ "Rapa Nui Ancestors Returning Home". Canterbury Museum. Retrieved 2021-08-25.

External links

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia