Experts offer tips on TLC for taonga

HISTORIC: A kiwi-feather cloak gifted to the Beetham family, which owns Brancepeth Station. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

The Wairarapa holders of feather cloaks, historic photographs, and treasured books of family history have been learning how to care for them.

The taonga were brought out of their homes last weekend so Te Papa and the Turnbull Library experts could train people in how to package and preserve them.

Wairarapa artist Rongomai Te Whaiti and researcher Haami Te Whaiti, from Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Iwi Incorporated invited conservation experts to Masterton to work with whanau and their taonga, including a wide range of cloaks.

Those were assessed by textile conservator Rangi Te Kanawa, who then trained the cloaks' kaitiaki (owners/guardians) in how to package and store the fragile treasures.

A whakapapa book tracing local family origins also received careful treatment, with expert advice from Vicki-Anne Heikell, a paper conservator from the Turnbull Library's National Preservation Office.

Among the treasures was a feather kakahu (cloak) taken along by Edward Beetham.

It had been gifted to the Beetham family, who founded Brancepeth Station in 1856.

The thick, kiwi feather cloak edged in bright orange kaka feathers, and dotted with green feathers of the kakapo still bore an historic label, stamped "Beetham" with "Brancepeth" inscribed by fountain pen.

Mr Te Kanawa demonstrated how cloaks could be rolled on to specially prepared tubes, and boxes created for those, to stop the feathers being crushed.

Te Papa spokesman and workshop organiser Gavin Reedy said the workshop was about sharing expert knowledge and skills that could then be passed on.

Mr Reedy said the kakahu (cloak) that was brought from Brancepeth Station showed the strong relationship between Maori and Pakeha in Wairarapa, going back many generations.

"These taonga are an enduring link for generations. They speak to us of the past and the people connected to them.

"You could feel the emotion in the room when these precious objects were first brought out."

Aratoi director Alice Hutchison and Collection Manager Bronwyn Reid attended, supporting the workshop and taking items from the Aratoi collection for assessment.