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- Te Motunui Epa – Making history from the underground
Te Motunui Epa – Making history from the underground
Part of Public History Talk — 2023 series
Monday 15 May 2023, 6pm to 7:30pm
Free
Join author Dr Rachel Buchanan (Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) in this Public History Talk about the astonishing kōrero of Te Motunui Epa. After 150 years hidden in a swamp, the carved panels travelled across the world and changed practices, understanding and international law on the protection and repatriation of stolen cultural treasures.
Join us in person or online.
The re-emergence of taonga
For more than 150 years, five carved panels that once formed the back wall of a pātaka, slept in a small swamp just north of Waitara. The carvings, which uri of Taranaki now call Te Motunui Epa, emerged from their long sleep in 1971. Their re-emergence set off an extraordinary chain of events that would take them around the world and back again.
In this talk, Dr Rachel Buchanan will discuss how unearthing the government records created by the carvings has changed the way she works as a historian. It has taken her closer to the power of the underground, and the sovereignty that exists undiminished beneath our feet.
Public history talks
These free Public History Talks are a collaboration between the Alexander Turnbull Library and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. They are usually held on the first Wednesday of the month, March to November.
Listen to recordings of public history talks
The talks are recorded and you can find them at the Apple store, Spotify and Podbean #newzealandhistory.
Listen to public history talks
Can’t make it in person?
Can't make it in person? This event will also be delivered using Zoom. You do not need to install the software in order to attend, you can opt to run Zoom from your browser.
Register if you’d like to join this talk and we'll send you the link to use on the day.
About the speaker
Dr Rachel Buchanan (Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) is the author of three books that explore Taranaki histories, including the invasion of Parihaka. Her new book, Te Motunui Epa (BWB Books, 2022), is shortlisted for the 2023 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards in the illustrated non-fiction category. Along with Hana Buchanan and Debbie Broughton, Rachel is also member of Te Aro Pā poets. A former journalist, Rachel has also documented the collapse of newspapers in the history-memoir, Stop Press: the last days of newspapers.
Check before you come
Due to COVID-19 some of our events can be cancelled or postponed at very short notice. Please check the website for updated information about individual events before you come. For more general information about National Library services and exhibitions have look at our COVID-19 page.
The resting place of the Motunui Epa.