The cultural survival of Maori as individuals and groups is tied to their continuing ability to connect themselves to their ancestors and their lands.
He Whakaputanga o te Rangatira o Nu Tireni (A Declaration of Independence, 28 October 1835), declared New Zealand an Independent Nation. Although He Whakaputanga was signed five years before Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi, 6 February 1840), Te Tiriti is seen as New Zealand’s ‘founding’ document. But it is a document with flaws.
An Unsettled History is a juncture in which contemporary artworks are juxtaposed with objects from Russell Museum’s collection to stimulate dialogue about issues soon to be presented at the judicial inquiry, Te Paparahi o te Raki (The Northland Inquiry, 10 May 2010). Adjudicated by the Waitangi Tribunal, Te Paparahi o te Raki will investigate how the failure of consecutive New Zealand governments to honour these two historic documents has impacted Maori sovereignty and control of resources, partnership in political decision making and the sustaining of Maori culture.
Showing daily: 10am-4pm from 10 April 2010 - Friday 9 July 2010.
