Tangata Whenua
Our Tangata Whenua Collection has over 30,000 objects relating to Tainui, and other neighbouring iwi.
Objects include wood and stone carving, flax weaving, adzes, waka, korowai, taiaha, ritual and archaeological materials.
The Collection illustrates Maori life from the first Polynesian settlers to the initial European contact period.
Waikato Taniwharau
He piko he taniwha
He piko he taniwha
Waikato of a hundred monsters
On each bend stands a chief
A proverb of the Waikato Iwi, people. The statement is a traditional and living view of how the Waikato River is described by its people that take their name from it. Maori communities – sub tribal groups lived and continue to live at the rivers edge; the head and chief of each group were likened to the mythical monster or guardian of the river hence the saying 'on each bend stands a chief'.
