PORTRAITS OF MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21727, 16 February 1934, Page 12

PORTRAITS OF MAORIS

THE WAITANGI MUSEUM CITY COUNCIL'S OFFER Large photographs of four North Auckland Maoris who were of considerable note in their day are to be offered by the City Council to. the AVaitangi National Trust, for its museum. The council's library committee reported last evening that the photographs had been offered to the Old Colonists' Museum many years ago, but had not been accepted. They were now available for other use. The subjects portrayed were Paikea te Hekeua and Arama Karaka Haututu, Kaipara chiefs; Hone Mohi Tawhai, M.11.R., a Hokianga chief, and the Rev. Jiori Waiti to Kuri, of Hokianga. The council adopted the committee's proposal that the photographs should be offered to the trust. TAMATI WAAKA NENE POSSESSION OF COPYRIGHT Some interesting facts concerning what is thought to be the original photograph of the great Maori chief Tamati Waaka None are related by Mrs. S. Stuart, of Mount Eden. This original was a glass positive of the chief and came into the possession of the late Mr. S. Stuart, one of the founders of the Auckland Society of Arts, in 1885. The photograph showed clearly most of the moko or face tattoo. After careful investigation Mr. Stuart managed to get a satisfactory restoration of the indistinct parts of the photograph. In the original positive the chief was depicted wearing a European coat. After a number of attempts this was replaced by an original kaitnka mat and eventually a satisfactory negative produced. This negative is the foundation of all portraits of Tamati Waaka Nene produced since 188(5.

It took Mr. Stuart a year to restore completely the markings of the face to the old Maori chief's satisfaction. From an ethnological point of view the photograph has considerable value in that it places 011 record probably the most complete example of tattooing known. The copyright is the property of Mrs. Stuart.