Published by Te Papa Press
Of all Māori personal adornments, the human figure pendants known as hei tiki are the most famous, highly prized and culturally iconic. This book celebrates the long history of hei tiki and the enduring cultural potency of these taonga. Te Hei Tiki showcases stunning photographs of a large selection of hei tiki, most from the taonga Māori collections of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and provides fascinating details of the history and culture behind them. Many are published here for the first time, including some with exalted histories of ownership. Te Hei Tiki also covers the work of leading contemporary hei tiki makers. It is the first book on hei tiki to be published in 60 years.
View sample pages of this exciting new book at this link
Extent: 320 pages
Format: Hardback
About the author
Dougal Austin (Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Waitaha) is Senior Curator Matauranga Maori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He has a particular research interest in the origins, development, cultural use and significance of hei tiki. His work has included a tour of the Kura Pounamu exhibition throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and China. He is also the acknowledged New Zealand expert on hei tiki.