Hokotehi Moriori Trust chief executive Ricki Hapi said if you had never been there, the new "Hou Rongo — Moriori, Music, Manawa" exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum was about as close as you could get to the islands’ culture, environment and people without actually going there.
"Our trees grow sideways and the animals grow bigger.
"If you’ve ever seen our crayfish, they grow much bigger — the island is so harsh it doesn’t grow weak things."
The exhibition (September 14-October 27) provides an immersive experience, offering a rare insight into Moriori traditions, ancestral lands, values and connection to the natural world, through a blend of traditional culture and cutting-edge technology.
Visitors will be transported to the spiritual realms of the etchu (elements) of the Chatham Islands through large-scale video projections and a soundscape that captures the essence of the islands’ unique environment.
The exhibition also features replicas of the only two known historic Moriori flutes, painstakingly recreated using CT scanning and 3-D printing technology. These replicas will be available for visitors to handle and hear.
"Hou Rongo" also provides a rare chance to encounter the rākau momori (tree carving) and offers the opportunity to explore another rākau momori figure in intricate detail through augmented reality.
The multisensory experience includes smell boxes, wind and other interactive elements that engage all the senses, vibrantly showcasing both the historic and living Moriori culture.
Hokotehi Moriori Trust project lead Deborah Goomes said the exhibition would contribute immensely to the revival of Moriori cultural identity, securing a legacy for generations to come.
"It is a journey that breathes life into ta ao Moriori, honouring our karāpuna, our legacy of peace and the continuation of Moriori cultural identity."
The exhibition was not only a celebration of Moriori culture, but also a powerful educational tool for the community, highlighting a people that had upheld a covenant of peace for centuries and whose resilience and strength was reflected in their cultural landscape.
Moriori ta re (language) adviser Kiwa Hammond said the exhibition was an "authentic" way to express Moriori identity through the natural elements of Rēkohu.
"Its value transcends what we think we know and understand, informing a movement of progression and development that will benefit current and future generations of Moriori ".
Exhibition curator Nancy Longnecker said it had been a privilege to work with a talented team of Moriori, cultural advisers, musicians, designers, computer scientists, and science communicators to bring the exhibition to life.
Developed in partnership with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and researchers from Otago University, and supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Smart Ideas Grant, the show marks a significant moment in the revival of Moriori identity.
