Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars

Opening ahead of He Rā Maumahara, the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars on Monday 28 October, Auckland Museum presents Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars, a refreshed gallery exploring the wars' lasting impact on Aotearoa. The exhibition is open to the public now.  

In 1996, Auckland Museum introduced a dedicated New Zealand Wars gallery with a historic exhibition that was the first major museum presentation of the Wars from both Māori and Pākehā perspectives. Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars introduces new insights into the events that shaped our nation, incorporating taonga, contemporary artworks, and diverse viewpoints that encourage reflection on the complex legacies of the wars and their lasting influence on society today. It now builds on the Museum's commitment to multiple perspectives on these pivotal conflicts. 

The exhibition has been curated by Dr Rowan Light and Nigel Borell. It comes as part of a wider research and development programme, responding to both commemorative and curriculum changes addressing the New Zealand Wars in Aotearoa. 

Rowan Light, New Zealand Wars Project Curator says, “Atarau invites visitors to connect with the past while the Museum moves toward a longer-term gallery refresh. It is an important step in creating a space where people can engage with the deep, often difficult history of the New Zealand Wars.” 

"The title Atarau carries many connotations," says Nigel Borell, Curator Taonga Māori. "‘Ata’ can mean shadow, early dawn, reflection; ‘rau’ can mean many, leaf, or indefinitely. Together, Atarau plays on themes of clarity and shadow—revealing what may have been obscured by time and bringing new perspectives into the light. It is an invitation to look at our shared history with fresh eyes, understanding the many facets of our past." 

The refreshed gallery includes contemporary artworks by Maureen Lander (Ngāpuhi), Haare Williams (Ngāi Tūhoe and Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki), Kingsley Baird, Richard Lewer, Bryce Brown, Ria Hall (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Tuwharetoa, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Ati Teepa (Ngāi Tūhoe, Kāi Tahu), and Ngahina Hohaia (Taranaki iwi, Parihaka – Ngāti Moeahu, Ngāti Haupoto). Their artworks reflect on these conflicts and provide dialogue around the legacy of the Wars on the land and its people. 

The exhibition opens just ahead of He Rā Maumahara, the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars, which was inaugurated in 2017. Auckland Museum will be illuminated on 27 and 28 October in a pounamu green to mark this commemoration, and to provide a link between the exterior of building the newly-refreshed gallery inside.  

Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars is free with Museum Entry and open now.