Te Rā is the only known customary Māori sail in existence, and for the past three years it has enjoyed a homecoming back here in Aotearoa New Zealand captivating audiences and fascinating researchers and makers. This scholarship has begun to reveal indigenous knowledge systems that are enriching our understanding of Māori voyaging culture and science. Yet the more we come to understand about Te Rā and its latent knowledge, the more there is still to learn.

Te Rā Symposium looks to share some of this recent research and illuminate some of the investigations with the sail to date. Four insightful panel discussions will examine and delve into topics ranging from the sail’s origins to understanding the unique making and material knowledge, to trialing this sail design on the water, plus discussing issues of return in the journey and life of taonga. This promises to be a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear from leading thinkers and scholars about this unique Māori woven sail.

Registrations are essential and places are limited.

BOOK NOW

• Saturday 15 March 9am-4pm
• Under the Dome, Level 3, Auckland Museum
• Adults $30 Members & Students 10% Discount

About the speakers

Panel 1: Locating Te Rā

The history and origins of Te Rā have long fascinated researchers, makers and scholars alike. The often-indistinct nature of its origins and the interpretations of that history continue to be elusive. This panel discussion shall explore the possible origins of Te Rā based on early voyagers, documentation and science.

• Dr Aroha Harris, MNZM
• Claire Kaahu White
• Dr Ross Calman
• Nigel Borell, MNZM (Facilitator)

Panel 2: Weavers and Waka: Te Rā in practice

This panel will discuss the intersection of weaving knowledge and that of single-hull waka practice. Investigations into the weaving knowledge and techniques found within Te Rā and the unique way this relates with waka knowledge on- the-water will make for a fascinating and insightful korero that brings new understandings to how Te Rā and sails of this type may have been used.

• Ruth Port
• Mandy Sunlight
• Suzi Flack
• Will Ngakuru
• Whiu Waata
• Heemi Eruera
• Dr Maureen Lander, MNZM (Facilitator)

Panel 3: Te Āparangi Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Project: Whakaarahia anō te rā kaihau! – Raise up again the billowing sail!

This collaborative and interdisciplinary project connected Mātauranga Māori and science bringing experienced weavers and scientists together to unlock the cultural knowledge available through study of Te Rā (archival, pictorial, and materials research, imaging, illustrative and modelling technologies). This panel will discuss the ongoing impacts of Whakaarahia anō te rā kaihau! stimulating innovation in imaging technology applications in museums, exhibition development, tīkanga-led conservation approaches, community access and ideas for future research.

• Dr Donna Campbell
• Dr Catherine Smith
• Rānui Ngārimu, ONZM

Panel 4: Taonga haerenga – the journeys our taonga take

It can be said that taonga are often on their own journey and trajectory of returning home. Whether by design or fate, it seems taonga return when the time is right which isn’t always to our own timeframe. This philosophy of taonga journeys with Te Rā as the catalyst, is a chance to consider issues of repatriation and ownership in both the local and international context.

• Dr Ngarino Ellis
• Dr Paul Tapsell, CRSNZ
• Dr Kahutoi Te Kanawa
• Chantal Knowles (Facilitator)