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A tribute to font designer Joseph Churchward (1933-2013)

30 April 2013 – 3.35pm
0019-joseph churchward

Joseph Churchward standing before portraits of his family, 2008 (photo: Norman Heke).

We would like to pay a special tribute to Samoan artist Joseph Churchward who sadly passed away last weekend. We were privileged to have worked with Joseph in 2008, when my colleague Sean Mallon (Senior Curator Pacific Cultures) and I curated the exhibition Letter Man: Joseph Churchward’s world of type (2008). I recall well Joseph’s sense of humour and his love of family history.

Joseph’s work ethic and commitment to his art practice was inspiring, and a small collection of his work housed in Te Papa’s Pacific Cultures Collection is a testament to his lifelong passion of designing fonts. To view Joseph’s collection, please visit Te Papa’s Collections Online links below

Joseph Churchward’s collection at Te Papa

Queen’s service medal for font designer Joseph Churchward

Joseph’s work in print and digital media is a lasting legacy. Our sincere condolences to the Churchward family at this time.

Ia manuia lau malaga Joseph. May you rest in peace.

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Tokelau kie tau (fine mat) with an edge

1 November 2012 – 2.25pm

This week is the inaugural Tokelau Language Week (29 October – 4 November). The theme is Ke mau ki pale o Tokelau: Hold fast to the treasures of Tokelau. To celebrate, the Pacific Cultures team will post a blog each day highlighting cultural treasures from Tokelau in Te Papa’s collections.

Kie Tau (fine mat); FE010246; Purchased 1993 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds; Te Papa

Kie Tau (fine mat); FE010246; Purchased 1993 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds; Te Papa

For today’s blog, I would like to focus on this kie tau (fine mat) which was made around 1991 by Telesia Lino, Katalina Paselio, Maselina Pereira, Fetu Perez, Malia Sesale, Vito Koloi, Susana Koloi, Matalena Atonio, Valelia Lafaele, and Kolopa Isle. The makers were members of the Ko Fatu Paepae o Lower Hutt – a Tokelau weaving group based in Lower Hutt, Wellington.

Because of the combination of customary and synthetic materials used in the making of this kie tau, it was acquired by the museum to feature in the exhibition Traditional Arts of Pacific Island Women (1993). The main body of this kie is made from heavily processed lau kie (pandanus leaf), with a border pattern and decorative motifs in lau hulu (brown pandanus). Both varieties of pandanus were imported to New Zealand from Tokelau.

An interesting feature of this kie tau is the thick outer fringe made from synthetic material. It is very similar in appearance to the kanava bark fibre found in Tokelau, but it was actually obtained from packing case material from a car assembly plant in New Zealand. The kie tau measures 2000mm in length by 1510mm wide. Hand-woven fine mats like this are worn and presented at special occasions such as weddings, and continue to have a significant cultural role in Tokelauan communities, whether in New Zealand or in Tokelau.

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Treasures from the Porirua Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau

30 October 2012 – 5.33pm

This week is the inaugural Tokelau Language Week (29 October – 4 November). The theme is Ke mau ki pale o Tokelau: Hold fast to the treasures of Tokelau. To celebrate, the Pacific Cultures team will post a blog each day highlighting cultural treasures from Tokelau in Te Papa’s collections.

Fishhook; FE008295; Tokelau; Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau Porirua; 1986; Te Papa

Fishhook; FE008295; Tokelau; Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau Porirua; 1986; Te Papa

This second blog post acknowledges the relationship and treasures gifted by the Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau from Porirua to Te Papa (then known as the National Museum) in 1986.  Of the 20 treasures, items included a walking stick, paddles and tuluma (container). According to the 2006 census, about half of the Tokelau population in New Zealand live in Wellington.

Tuluma (container); FE008294; Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau Porirua; 1986; Te Paa

Tuluma (container); FE008294; Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau Porirua; 1986; Te Paa

Since the 1970s, in April, an Easter Festival has been organized by the Tokelauan community. This year, the festival featured Tokelau treasures from Te Papa’s collection in an exhibition held at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua. To read more about this special occasion, click on the following blog post: Tokelau Expo – a different loan request.

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Niuean Katoua (club)

12 October 2012 – 10.09am

This is our final blog in our series focusing on Niue taoga (treasures) from Te Papa’s collection for Vagahau (Language) Niue Week (6-13 October).

In recent times, the katoua, a long club or cleaving club, has become an iconic symbol representing identity and culture for many Niueans. Used in festival and school performances, it is a Niuean object unique to the island.

Katoua (club); Niue; OL000169.S/9; Oldman Collection. Gift of the New Zealand Government, 1992; Te Papa

Katoua (club); Niue; OL000169.S/9; Oldman Collection. Gift of the New Zealand Government, 1992; Te Papa

These weapons measure between 900mm and 1800mm. The katoua was a piercing weapon, used after the initial throwing of the maka (stone). Made from brown wood, katoua have a central sharp ridge along the length of the blade on both sides; the butt end is pointed, with a collar on the rounded shaft.

Katoua (club); Niue; FE007919; Deposited by Dr Edward Ellison, 1931; Te Papa

Katoua (club); Niue; FE007919; Deposited by Dr Edward Ellison, 1931; Te Papa

Katoua (club); Niue; FE004017/2; Te Papa

Katoua (club); Niue; FE004017/2; Te Papa

A number of katoua in the Pacific Cultures Collection were discovered to have incised designs at the butt end of the shaft, and a few had wrapped sennit (coconut-husk fibre), feathers, egg cowrie shells, and braided human hair wound around the lower part of the shaft. As a result of close examination of the feathers, Hokimate Harwood (Te Papa’s Bicultural Science Researcher) was able to identify some of the feathers attached to both katoua and tao (spear) as being from the belly of the kulukulu, or purple-capped dove, the tail of the henga, or blue-crowned lorikeet, and the back of the lupe, or Pacific pigeon (Ducula pacifica).

To read more about Te Papa’s Niue collection, please view the following article: Exploring ‘the Rock’: Material culture from Niue Island in Te Papa’s Pacific Cultures Collection, (2011)

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1920s taoga (treasures) from Niue

10 October 2012 – 6.25pm

Welcome to the third blog in our series focusing on Niue taoga (treasures) from Te Papa’s collection for Vagahau (Language) Niue Week (6-13 October).

Titi (skirt); Niue; FE006396; Purchased 1973; Te Papa

Titi (skirt); Niue; FE006396; Purchased 1973; Te Papa

This titi (skirt) was collected in the 1920s by H W Cockerill a telegraphic engineer for the General Post Office who helped install a wireless telephone station on Niue. The titi, one of several are made of natural hibiscus bast fibres dyed in pink, red and green,and decorated with rosettes. They indicate a preference at the time for dying natural materials. This is similar to Cook Islands dance costumes from the same period.

Titi (skirt); FE006399; Purchased 1973; Te Papa

Titi (skirt); FE006399; Purchased 1973; Te Papa

Along with the titi, Cockerill acquired other items including tablemats, iliili (fan) and the lei (necklace) below.

Lei (necklace); Niue; FE006400/1; Te Papa

Lei (necklace); Niue; FE006400/1; Te Papa

Since the beginning of New Zealand annexation in 1901, New Zealanders such as Cockerill visited the island for work, travel and leisure. In 1973, Cockerill’s collection was acquired from his son, and provide a snapshot of items produced in that period.

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Celebrating Vagahau (Language) Niue

8 October 2012 – 3.31pm

To celebrate Vagahau Niue: Niue Language Week (6-13 October 2012), the Pacific Cultures team are highligting stories about Niue focusing on taoga (treasures) from Te Papa’s collection.

Canoe Making in Niue; CT.027510; 1972, Te Papa

Canoe Making in Niue; CT.027510; 1972, Te Papa

In 1972, over a few months, a group of scientists from Te Papa, then known as the Dominion Museum, made a visit to Niue as part of an expedition to survey the natural environment. Included in the group was Curator of Birds, Frederich-Carl Kinsky who took images of vaka (canoe) making at Lalokafika on the Alofi–Hakupu road. Some images capture the cutting down and shaping of the moota tree (Dysoxylum forsteri) by local Niueans including Piavale and Dr Harry Nemaia, who was formerly Director of Health in Niue and a respected vaka maker. These images are now in the Photography Collection and are available through Collections Online.

Canoe Making in Niue; CT.027509; 1972; Te Papa

Canoe Making in Niue; CT.027509; 1972; Te Papa

On the same trip, zoologist John Yaldwyn collected several kato (basket) from the local market. The kato range in style from kato tupe (money purses) to oval ribbed styles  for storage. Along with cultural items, specimens of birds, fishes and plants were also collected. These images and objects are a reminder of the museum’s relationship with Niue, and provide an important time capsule in the country’s history.

Kato (basket); Niue; FE006157; Te Papa

Kato (basket); Niue; FE006157; Te Papa

 

 

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Documenting history on Tongan fangufangu

7 September 2012 – 1.57pm

As part of celebrating Tongan Language Week: Uike Kātonga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga (1-8 September) the Pacific Cultures team are highlighting some of the Tongan items in Te Papa’s collection. Today’s blog is the last of our series.

Tongan fangufangu (nose flutes) are beautifully crafted musical instruments. Historically, fangufangu were used to awaken the Tongan royalty from their sleep. Made from bamboo, they have intact nodes at each end, forming a sealed cylinder. However they also document important moments in Tonga’s history. Te Papa has three fangufangu in the Pacific Cultures Collection, which date from the 1800s. Etched on each fangufangu are images, words and names that tell us a story.

Fangufangu (nose flute); FE000712; Gift of Alexander Turnbull, 1913; Te Papa

Translated with the kind help of Tongan staff member Lute Langi, it was discovered that the fangufangu above has several motifs written in the Tongan language including ko e fonu (this is a turtle), ko e fai (this is a sting ray) and moa ta’ane (rooster). There is also an image of a woman named ‘Malia’ and a picture of a ‘Manuao Falanise’ or French ship. The artist has possibly recorded the introduction of Catholicism to Tonga by French Marist brothers during the 1850s. Malia perhaps references Mary the mother of Jesus.

Fangufangu (nose flute); FE012470; Gift of Derek J. Wilson, 2009; Te Papa

This fangufangu has the name Sione Latu inscribed. It gives the location as Tuanuku, Vava’u, the former is a coastal village in the Vava’u group of islands.  There are pictures of 15 birds, 12 ships and two human figures. This fangufangu, possibly records the coming and going of European ships in the harbour area in the 1800s.

Click on the link to view the playing of fangufangu during Queen Elizabeth II’s royal visit to the Kingdom of Tonga: Watch video

For more about fangufangu, see:

Mahina, ‘Okusitino 1984 Observations of a Tongan Nose-flute (fangufangu). Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 21 (1): 33-36.

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Tongan ngatu (tapa cloth): a visual record

6 September 2012 – 1.13pm

As part of celebrating Tongan Language Week: Uike Kātonga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga (1-8 September) the Pacific Cultures team are highlighting some of the Tongan items in Te Papa’s collection. This is the  fourth blog in our series.

Tongan ngatu also known as tapa cloth is an important part of Tongan art and tradition. Te Papa’s collection of about 60 ngatu range in style and use. Some ngatu include symbols of the Tongan royal family, while another records the sighting of  Halley’s comet in 1910 (see below).

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE012487; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE012487; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Other ngatu have  words and names inscribed on the cloth. These give us a clue about the people who were once associated with the ngatu. For example a ngatu dated 1932 has the name ‘Siaosi Taufa’ahau’  and images of cricket cups and the crest of Tupou College (see below). The name referred to the late King  Tāufa’āhau Tupou IV when he was a school boy at the College.

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE008724; Gift of Valerie Morris, 1989; Te Papa

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE008724; Gift of Valerie Morris, 1989; Te Papa

Another style of tapa cloth is called ngatu ‘uli (black tapa cloth) where the cloth is intensely dyed using candlenut soot, although other dyes are also applied. The ngatu ‘uli below has what appears to be a layer of red clay underneath the candlenut soot.  

Ngatu 'uli (black tapa cloth); FE010584; Te Papa

Ngatu ‘uli (black tapa cloth); FE010584; Te Papa

In 2009 for the exhibition Tapa: Pacific Style, Te Papa worked with the Otaota Fahina Society led by Reverend Sitili Tupouniua and his wife, Lolohea to film Tongan tapa-making in Auckland. To view some of the footage and interviews, click on the links below:

Watch Feletoa Fa’apoi making ngatu

Watch an interview with Lolohea Tupouniua

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Adorning the head: Cook Islands ‘ei taomi pare (hatband)

10 August 2012 – 11.36am

Today’s post is the last in our blog series for Cook Islands language week (6-8 August). I have decided to look at a variety of ’ei taomi pare (hatbands) from the Pacific Cultures collection. Usually ‘ei taomi pare are placed on a hat around the crown area. These ‘ei are separated from the hats to allow a closer view of their beautiful designs. 

’ei taomi Pare (hatband); FE012144; Te Papa

’ei taomi Pare (hatband); FE012144; Te Papa

This ‘ei (above) is exquisite in how the maker has arranged the shells into rosettes around the outer surface. Taking a closer look, each shell has been sewn onto the cloth material which has been wrapped around the pandanus fibre.

’ei taomi Pare (hatband); FE012083; Gift of Mrs E. M. Paterson, 1954; Te Papa

’ei taomi Pare (hatband); FE012083; Gift of Mrs E. M. Paterson, 1954; Te Papa

This tubular-shaped ‘ei is made using yellow, white and brown ‘ei pupu shells that have been threaded through and tied closely together. The shells form a lovely diagonal pattern. This particular ‘ei was gifted to the museum in 1954 from Mrs Edith Paterson, who along with her husband John made several visits to the Cook Islands in the 1920s. During their time there, John helped to build the wharf at Avarua in Rarotonga.

’ei taomi Pare (hatband); FE007305/2; Te Papa

’ei taomi Pare (hatband); FE007305/2; Te Papa

Made from kako grass, this ‘ei taomi pare is stunning in its combination of colours and floral arrangement. This ‘ei was acquired by Te Papa in the 1970s, and was collected by John Burland who spent some time studying bird life on Palmerston Atoll during the 1960s.

The pare vaine (woman’s hat) below has an ‘ei attached to its crown. It was collected by botanist and public servant Thomas Kirk, and gifted by the Masonic Lodge Tawera o Kapiti to the museum in 1950.

Pare vaine (womans hat); FE011390; Gift of Masonic Lodge Tawera o Kapiti, 1950

Pare vaine (womans hat); FE011390; Gift of Masonic Lodge Tawera o Kapiti, 1950

Although our current blog series ends for now, click on the link below to read more about the Cook Islands material culture collection at Te Papa: 

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/Tuhinga/Tuhinga21_099_HuttonAkeliMallon.pdf

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Mu’umu’u styles from a Cook Islands mama

8 August 2012 – 4.43pm

To celebrate Cook Islands language week (6 -10 August), the Pacific Cultures team are blogging about collection items from the Cook Islands.

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012459; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012459; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

These mu’umu’u (dress) are part of a number of dresses acquired by the Pacific Cultures collection in 2009 from Tepaeru Tereora. Tereora was the fifth National President for Pacific Allied (Women’s) Council Inspires Faith Ideals Concerning All Incorporation which was established in 1977. The mu’umu’u dresses were made for Mrs Tereora during her time as president by various branches of the P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A organisation.

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012460; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012460; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

The mu’umu’u or mother hubbard style dress was introduced by missionaries to the Cook Islands in the 1820s. For various reasons including ideas about modesty and the fashion trend, the mu’umu’u was adopted in the nineteenth century. Since its introduction, the mu’umu’u like those belonging to Tereora have become a vital part of Cook Islands fashion style.

View the Tales from Te Papa video featuring  Tepaeru Tereora:

Tales from Te Papa Series 2011, Episode 3 | P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Dresses

Unknown woman; B.028279; Crummer, George circa 1910 ; Te Papa

Unknown woman; B.028279; George Crummer, circa 1910 ; Te Papa

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