Details

Te Motunui Epa tells the extraordinary story of five intricately carved wooden panels created in the late 1700s by Taranaki relatives. These taonga have experienced a complex journey—commissioned, hidden, sold, smuggled, debated, and ultimately returned—shaping international law, cultural practices, and understanding of the protection and repatriation of stolen treasures.

Rachel Buchanan (Taranaki, Te Atiawa) places these taonga and tupuna at the centre of the narrative, exploring how art can reveal both the best and worst in humanity. Richly illustrated, the book offers a rare and insightful account of the intersections between art, ancestry, and power, providing a deeply engaging cultural history.

Key Features:
• Chronicles the history and journey of the Motunui epa panels
• Explores themes of art, ancestry, repatriation, and cultural law
• Richly illustrated with images of the taonga and historical context
• Offers a rare insight into Taranaki and Maori cultural heritage

Product Details:
• Author: Rachel Buchanan
• Format: Hardback
• ISBN: 9781990046582

Disclaimer: COLOUR VARIATION – we try to ensure images match the actual product; slight variations may occur due to device colour settings.