Whakatau Wahine (1993)

This VHS simply named "Whakatau Wahine 1993" captures a significant event in the life of the library.


"In 1991, Tauranga Library staff visited Paparoa Marae, Te Puna. During the trip, staff saw newly completed tukutuku destined for the marae’s wharenui and wharekai. It was here that (librarian) Tipene-Clarke first had the idea of making tukutuku to exhibit in the library in hopes of making the space more welcoming for Māori. Two years later, under the guidance of Waina Borell and with the dedicated mahi (work) of members from the Matua branch of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, and funding from the Community Arts Council, Trustee Bank Bay of Plenty and the Centennial Suffrage Year Trust 1993, the 16 tukutuku were produced. The collection was unveiled and gifted to the library during a well-attended blessing ceremony, on July 30th 1993, in time to help celebrate the 1993 Centennial of Women’s Suffrage. "
(Chelsea Tairi 2022, in Teamwork makes the dream work (Tauranga Historical Blog).