If you are not sure of the copyright, privacy or cultural status of any collection item, or would like to learn more about an item, please contact us at reference.hocken@otago.ac.nz
You are welcome to use any of the collection items on this site for:
Please contact us at reference.hocken@otago.ac.nz if you would like to:
Please acknowledge Hocken Collections | Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka as the source, adding details of the reference number/accession number, title and creator (where known).
Taoka Māori materials from our collections must be used appropriately.
In this document, the term 'taoka' is used in recognition of the local Kāi Tahu dialect, as the University of Otago is located within the Kāi Tahu rohe. However, when referring to national documents such as the Waitangi Tribunal's WAI 262 report, the term 'taonga' is used, as it aligns with the language and definitions used in those contexts.
Our definition of Taoka Māori includes, but is not limited to, 'taonga works', 'taonga-derived works' and 'mātauranga Māori' as defined in the Waitangi Tribunal's WAI 262 report Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: Te Taumata Tuatahi: A Report into Claims Concerning New Zealand Law and Policy Affecting Māori Culture and Identity. Chapter 1of Ko Aotearoa Tēnei engages with the protection of Māori cultural identity and knowledge and provides some understanding of how taonga and taonga-derived works should be managed.
In using Taoka Māori materials from our collections, the mana and dignity of iwi, hapū and whānau group/s, individuals, and the environmental subjects depicted within must be respected and upheld, in accordance with the articles and principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We acknowledge the principle of Mana Taoka: upholding and safeguarding the mana of Taoka Māori materials within our collections, acknowledging the spiritual and cultural connections between taoka and the people and places to which they relate, and according to iwi the mana to care for, speak for, and determine the use of Taoka Māori in our collections.
In addition, any depictions of tīpuna Māori (ancestors), wāhi tapu (burial sites), or koiwi (human remains) are tapu (not for everyday use). These depictions are considered tapu because they hold deep cultural and spiritual importance and require careful handling and respect to honour Māori values. We ask that you seek endorsement from the iwi, hapū or whānau group/s to whom these collection items relate before using them.