Te Whatu Pareārohi – The Shimmering Braid – looks at the transformative power of kapa haka. Photo: New Plymouth District Council / supplied
The transformative power of kapa haka and a celebration of one Aotearoa's most revered songwriters and champion of Māori culture are the focus of two exhibitions at New Plymouth's Puke Ariki Museum.
Wawata in the Wall Gallery is an intimate look into the life and legacy of Dalvanius Prime (Maui Harawi Prime), one of Pātea's favourite sons who collaborated with Ngoi Pēwhairangi to create the iconic hit 'Poi E', the first pop song in te reo to reach the top of the charts.
The exhibition features personal memorabilia and artefacts tracing his contributions, including his championing of te reo Māori and his activism for social justice, Māori youth, victims of domestic violence, and efforts to empower communities.
The exhibition also featured a short documentary film of Dalvanius' remarkable life, created by his nephew Tuteri Rangihaeata and the Waha Productions whānau.
Te Whatu Pareārohi - The Shimmering Braid in the museum's Lane Gallery celebrates the impact that kapa haka has on wellbeing.
Te Whatu Pareārohi – The Shimmering Braid – looks at the transformative power of kapa haka. Photo: New Plymouth District Council / supplied
Entering the exhibition through a symbolic gateway, visitors experience both traditional kapa haka and modern expressions of Māori identity, including treasured taonga from Puke Ariki's collection and an immersive, interactive display showcasing kākahu patterns of local kapa haka rōpū.
Curator Trudi Taepa said the exhibitions were developed in anticipation of Te Matatini 2025 being held at Bowl of Brooklands in February next year.
"Te Matatini is New Zealand's premier kapa haka festival, and has many connections to the people, stories, histories and taonga of Taranaki.
"With both Wawata and Te Whatu Pareārohi, we have sought to share two important connections between Taranaki Māori, iwi stories, kapa haka and te reo performance more generally, as a welcome and a celebration of Te Matatini and its immense contribution to strengthening Māori culture."
Both exhibitions are on show at Puke Ariki until 13 July, 2025. Find out more at pukeariki.com.
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