Ancient Māori rock drawings resurface
30 Nov 2010
Te Ana Ngāi Tahu Rock Art Centre - an important new cultural tourism attraction housing a significant Māori art collection - will open in Timaru, New Zealand next week.
The interactive experience tells the story of South Island Māori through the ancient rock drawings which have been gathered originally from the surrounding region and, in some cases, repatriated from overseas collections.
It is believed to be the largest exhibition of Māori rock art in the world, and tribal chairman Mark Solomon says it is also "hugely significant" for the Ngāi Tahu people.
The opening next Friday (10.12.2010) would be the culmination of years of hard work and devotion to protecting and preserving an important cultural and historical taonga / treasure for the iwi / tribe, Solomon said.
Māori rock art
The art of visual story telling through rock drawing is one of the oldest recorded art forms, dating back as far as 40,000 years in some countries.
The South Island of New Zealand - and in particular Aoraki region - is well known for its historic rock art sites.
A large percentage of all the rock art in New Zealand is found among the limestone outcrops and caves of the Aoraki region, and more than 500 sites have been recorded within the tribal boundaries of the Ngāi Tahu Māori tribe.
Māori rock art paint was made from animal or bird fat mixed with vegetable gum and soot or kokowai / red ochre to make black or red paint, and was believed to have the qualities required for lasting the test of time.
Rock art trails
Unfortunately the location of the rock art sites in the outdoor landscape has left them vulnerable to nature - wind, rain, sun - and modern development, and known sites are probably only a small sample of what used to exist.
Visitors who want a rock art experience in the landscape can take tours to historic cave sites where Rock Art Centre guides will share stories of the ancestors who once travelled the same trails.
These small group tours offer visitors an exclusive guided experience designed for minimal environmental impact - ensuring the sites are nurtured and protected for the future.
Ancient artefacts returned
The opening exhibition includes several pieces that have been returned after nearly 100 years away.
In the early 1900s American antiquarian James Lee Elmore removed 12 ancient rock drawings from sites in the Aoraki area, and these have since been housed in museum collections around the country and overseas.
The drawings had been removed from near the Waitaki and Opihi rivers, with the biggest piece weighing 100kg.
Māori rock art is important to tribal identity and having the art returned to its home is deeply significant for local people like Wendy Heath.
"They mean so much to us. They were done by our tupuna [ancestors], they're our link to our tupuna in that sense. It's just so heartwarming," said Heath.
"[The centre is] going to be brilliant for Timaru and South Canterbury as a whole. Us sharing our treasures with people will give them a better understanding of who we are."
Cultural interpretation
Te Ana is a NZ$2.7 million project that is expected to attract around 34,000 visitors annually. All the profits from the centre will go to protecting rock art sites.
Curator Amanda Symon says Te Ana will provide cultural interpretation of the rock art.
The interactive experience will offer a unique journey through Ngāi Tahu’s rich cultural history via multi sensory displays and tours hosted by trained local guides.
Background: Timaru, South Canterbury
Timaru - on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island and a two-hour drive from Christchurch - is the urban hub of the South Canterbury region.
The coastal town on iconic Caroline Bay offers proximity to mountains, sea and the undulating pastoral lands of the Canterbury Plains. It has a wide choice of restaurants, cafes and accommodation for all budgets.
Downtown Timaru has heritage buildings, the South Canterbury Museum, and Aigantighe Art Gallery - reputed to be one of the best collections of New Zealand art to be found in any provincial city - and the new Te Ana Ngai Tahu Rock Art Centre.
Easily accessible outdoor activities include cycling and mountain biking, white water rafting, horse-riding, hunting and fishing, hiking and exploring the South Canterbury Food & Wine trail.
Major events include motorsport racing at Timaru International Motor Raceway, the bi-annual South Island Master Games, the colourful Timaru Festival of Roses, and the South Canterbury Hospice Wine & Food Festival.
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