Nuku Tewhatewha

This nationally significant pataka (Maori store house, usually for food) was commissioned by paramount chief Wi Tako Ngatata of Te Atiawa and carved in the 1850's as a sign of support for Kingitanga, or the Maori King Movement.

It is one of only seven Pataka built around the North Island as 'Pillars of the Kingdom', and the only one to survive.

Nukutewhatewha was gifted to Hutt City in the 1970's to be cared for as part of The Dowse Art Museum collection. It remains the most significant taonga (treasure) in our care. At The Dowse, Nukutewhatewha is presented as a tohu (symbol) of the creative, forward-looking response to change that characterises much of Maori history.

Kingitanga is a movement that arose among some of the Maori tribes of New Zealand in the 1850's to establish a symbolic role similar in status to that of the monarch of the colonising people, the British.

The position of Maori monarh is a non-constitutional role with no legal power in New Zealand, but it is a symbolic role invested with a high degree of mana (prestige). Since the 1850's the role has been vested in the Tainui iwi, who agreed to guard the position when it was created.

In the early 1850's, a movement to establish a Maori king developed in response to the rapid loss of Maori land to the British government and colonists. The movement was intigrated by Tamihana Te Rauparaha (son of Te Rauparaha) after having met Queen Victoria in England in 1852. It was believed that by having a monarch who could claim status simular to that of Queen Victoria, Maori would be able to deal with Pakeha on equal footing. The establishment of the monarchy was also designed to achieve unity among iwi of all regions of the islands and this weaken the potential on the part of the British to "divide and rule"; and. in addition, it was seen as a step towards establishing law and order.

The Kingitanga movement and its influence has expanded since its establishment and it is widely recognised and respected by Maori in many parts of New Zealand today.

Cost:

Free entry

The Dowse Art Museum opening hours:

Monday to Friday 10.00am - 4.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm

Location:

The Dowse Art Museum
45 Laings Road
Lower Hutt

For more information:
Phone: +64 (04) 570 6500
Website: www.dowse.org.nz

Time: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: Thursday, May 12, 2011 - Saturday, June 30, 2012

Superior Gardens of the Hutt Valley

Hutt City was the original garden city of New Zealand and the pride of this standing continues through the superior floral and native, private and public gardens that fill the city. Here is a selection of guided and self guided gardens that represent a cross section of the valley. Walk all the pathways or settle under a shady tree and take it all in.

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New Zealand's Original Wild Child

This tour will take you to all the key sites of Wellington and provide you with stories of how Katherine Mansfield might have seen them.

The Hutt City component of the tour will take you through Lower Hutt and around to the Eastern Bays.

Pick up a Katherine Mansfield's Early Wellington brochure from Hutt City i-SITE Visitor Centre.
Learn More

Nuku Tewhatewha

This nationally significant pataka (Maori store house, usually for food) was commissioned by paramount chief Wi Tako Ngatata of Te Atiawa and carved in the 1850's as a sign of support for Kingitanga, or the Maori King Movement.

Location:

Superior Gardens of the Hutt Valley

New Zealand's Original Wild Child

Silverstream Retreat

Nuku Tewhatewha

Swimming Pools