Maori Treasures Our Story Our Journey

Maori Treasures is the culmination of the dreams and lifes work of Rangi Hetet and his late wife Erenora Puketapu Hetet. The complex comprises studios and teaching spaces, a collection room, a gallery space, a gift shop and a café. Maori Treasures is located in Waiwhetu, the papakainga of the Hamua hapu of Te Atiawa.

A life of weaving and carving together 1960s Demonstrating carving Silkscreening kowhaiwhai on material for garments 1960s – Rangi carved Erenora began learning with Rangimarie Mid 70s – in Turangi Late 70s – Teaching at Rotorua Arts and Crafts Institute Early 80s – Established the first Marae based training schemes in carving and weaving in Wellington Mid 80s – Te Maori and Training Scheme for Maori Museum workers Early 90s – Built two waka and completed other projects and commissions Mid 90s – NZQA Late 90s – Maori Treasures

Maori Treasures developed organically in response to a need. The tourism product was based on research. The business units were developed around our skill base Partnerships were sought with others eg local tour operators, isite, Te Waka Toi, Te Papa. Developed business strands that supported the whole.

Retail Small beginnings at Maori Treasures Grew to KOHA Gifts – two retail stores in Wellington malls.

The Challenges Succession – how do we ensure continuity? Business models – how do we ensure each whanau member is independent and interdependent? Operational issues – Who is doing what, when and where?

Governance A whanau trust owns the buildings in the complex. Economic development required a business approach – several different businesses operate from buildings leased by the whanau Trust

Business model – The Waka Each smaller whanau unit (kaihoe) took responsibility over a particular aspect of the complex and its operations (the hoe) Eg, the gift store and gallery, the café and the teaching were all eventually developed as separate businesses Together we paddled toward a shared vision. Patrons in the café, surrounded by art works from the studios

Operational Issues Who is doing what, when and how? What opening hours will you operate? Who will take care of maintenance? Who will host the visitors?

Passing on to future generations It will be one of the mokopuna who has the heart, the passion and the commitment to continue on with Maori Treasures. That is the only way that our taonga will remain in the whanau and not be lost or sold. Rangi Hetet