Who are we, as Aucklanders? The stories that begin to answer that question are told in many languages, over many generations, and through many objects. Tāmaki Herenga Waka means 'the gathering place of many waka', and these new permanent galleries chronicle Auckland's past, capture its present, and look to the future.
Discover Auckland all over again
Tāmaki Herenga Waka Stories of Auckland encourages you to look at your city through new eyes.
The journey begins with the three iwi that make up the Museum's Taumata-ā-Iwi: Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Paoa and Waikato-Tainui. They are represented by three illuminated manu (birds) by artist Mike Crawford. Each iwi curated its own display with a selection of taonga in response to the question "Ko wai tātou? Who are we?"
Auckland looked very different for the first families who settled here, and this section of the gallery looks at why people have made this place their home for centuries. Explore the development of Tāmaki through the eyes of the Māori, colonial and Pasifika families who settled here.
From Ihumātao to Karangahape Road to Maungakiekie One Tree Hill, this mix of historic and contemporary stories explores how people draw strength and identity from the unique landscape of Tāmaki.
With its three harbours – Kaipara, Manukau and Waitematā – Tāmaki's nearly two thousand kilometres of coastline not only shapes the geography of the region, it defines how we live. Try your hand at hauling a waka overland, travel back in time with a hand-built Victorian-style diorama, or explore the history of the Chelsea Sugar Factory.
Whether it's a drag club, a music venue, a football club or a park, there are places you'll know like the back of your hand, and others you never knew existed. Short films and diverse objects illustrate the experiences of different communities living in Auckland.
Auckland is the most urbanised place in Aotearoa which comes with a range of pressures, culture clashes, and challenges, as well as great opportunities. As well as stories of activism and protest, there are also stories of conservation, revitalisation and of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Expand your experience
There's a lot more to the stories in Tāmaki Herenga Waka than will fit on a display label. Available in te reo Māori, English and Chinese Mandarin, this self-guided audio tour is launched from your own smartphone. Remember to bring your headphones!
Tāmaki Herenga Waka Stories of Auckland is packed with interactive displays and activities, from a Victorian-style diorama of the Auckland Regatta to a haul-a-waka challenge, to an opportunity to recreate the famous Tiritiri Matangi dawn chorus.
Out of the box
From club mix tracks to surveys on data surveillance, some of the objects in Tāmaki Herenga Waka have lives outside of their display cases. Dig deeper into some of those stories here.
The Pacific Sisters collective, established in Auckland in 1992, asserts an urban transcultural identity using ceremony, art, adornment and performance. Three aitu/avatars by the collective form part of the Tāmaki Herenga Waka collection.
Deep-dive into the stories behind some of the objects in Tāmaki Herenga Waka Stories of Auckland.