Hākui: Women of Kāi Tahu

NOW CLOSED

Special Exhibitions Gallery
19 November 2015 – 8 May 2016

This exhibition shared the stories, achievements and legacies of respected Kāi Tahu wāhine – as seen from the perspective of kā uri whakatipu, today’s generations – through objects, photographs and memories.

Interactive elements also featured, inviting visitors to step inside Aunty’s kitchen, hear the pronunciation of te reo Māori words and placenames, plait kāwai kete (kete handles), listen to interviews and waiata, share memories of the women in their own lives, and plenty more.

The term hākui is an acknowledgement of respect and a form of address to a female elder, and this exhibition celebrated mothers, aunties, grandmothers, taua, great aunts, great grandmothers and tūpuna wāhine.

Exhibition statistics:

33 868 visitors
4 central concepts – whakapapa, whānau, whākai and whenua
50 written profiles
45 taoka loaned from whānau throughout Aotearoa
17 taoka from the Otago Museum collection
207+ images – majority loaned from whānau
2:47:25 audio – sourced from Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision