He whakapapa kōrero, he whenua kura
Talking about our past, to create a better future

Panui 4 - August 2016

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne was joined by two students for the launch of the new exhibition’s name – Ella Thorpe from Wellington Girls’ College and Te Haupuru Makoare from Hato Paora College, Fielding.

He Tohu – name announced for new permanent exhibition of New Zealand’s important constitutional documents, opening early 2017

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne has announced the name and visual identity of the new archive exhibition to open within the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington during early 2017.

The permanent exhibition will be known as He Tohu, which has a number of meanings, but for this exhibition means simply “the signs”.

The name launch was held in the National Library on 10 August, in front of the exhibition site which is now under construction. The launch was attended by Members of Parliament, iwi leaders from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, representatives of women’s groups and students who represented the future of our country.

The exhibition will feature three important New Zealand constitutional documents:

• 1835 He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni – Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand
• 1840 Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Treaty of Waitangi
• 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition –  Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine

The name was chosen because it refers directly to the most obvious and powerful element of the exhibition’s three documents, the unique signatures or marks of those who supported the documents.

The name He Tohu will be used together with a more descriptive statement:

A declaration. A treaty.  A petition.

The exhibition’s name and design identity launch on 10 August 2016
Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne, Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare, kaumatua, kuia and leaders from Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu and Taranaki Whānui; students Ella Thorpe and Te Haupuru Makoare,  He Tohu project chairman and Department of Internal Affairs Deputy Chief Executive Peter Murray and Chief Archivist Marilyn Little.

He Tohu – a partnership between Crown, iwi Māori

The He Tohu exhibition name and design identity were announced by the Minister
of Internal Affairs Hon Peter Dunne alongside members of the Minister’s iwi leader
partner group, formed in 2014 for the Archive Exhibition Project. 

Also present was a party of Ngāpuhi leaders, who travelled from the Tai Tokerau for
the unveiling. Said Te Rūnanga ā iwi o Ngāpuhi Acting Chair Carol Dodd: “Ngāpuhi
are spiritual kaitiaki of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and Te
Tiriti o Waitangi, therefore it was important to attend and support this kaupapa.

“For Ngāpuhi, this exhibition is momentous. The documents are our legacy, and it is our responsibility to be involved in their protection and ensure the exhibition provides a focus for all  New Zealanders, not just Ngāpuhi.”

Manawhenua iwi leaders from Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira attended the name launch, and have been involved throughout in advising on tikanga.

Representing young New Zealanders were Ella Thorpe and Te Haupuru Makoare.
Ella is a Year 11 student at Wellington Girls’ College, who has been assisting Archives
New Zealand in researching signatories to the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition for an
exhibition interactive feature.

She was joined by Year 12 student Te Haupuru Makoare from Hato Paora College in
Feilding, a mokopuna/descendant of signatories of He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti
o Waitangi.

He is the son of Hinerangi Himiona, an archivist and senior Māori advisor to the
He Tohu project.

New exhibition will improve public access to our national taonga

New Zealand’s fragile and priceless documentary heritage will be displayed in a physically larger space, using more modern conservation technology and new education resources. The new exhibition will have extended opening hours to six days  a week.

The new exhibition involves a partnership between Archives New Zealand and the National Library of New Zealand. While the National Library will house the new exhibition, the documents remain the statutory responsibility of Archives  New Zealand and the Chief Archivist, Marilyn Little.

Speaking at the name unveiling event, Ms Little said each of the three documents had unique preservation challenges, and explained that the Crown’s primary responsibility as holder of the taonga is their preservation, for future generations.

National Librarian Bill Macnaught stressed the importance of the new exhibition in providing valuable learning experiences for all young New Zealanders. Iwi leader Haami Piripi, representing the Iwi Chairs Forum, spoke about the importance of the partnership with the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the significance of the taonga and exhibition  to Māori.

He Tohu has been developed by the Department of Internal Affairs as a Crown – Māori partnership, with guidance from a formal Māori Technical Advisory Group and Women’s Suffrage Petition Advisory Group.

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For further information, please go to dia.govt.nz/Archive-Exhibition-Project
or contact hetohu@dia.govt.nz