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Kāhui kaitiaki hui attendees at Ōtākou Marae, October 2019.
About us
Kāhui Kaitiaki: he oranga taonga he oranga tangata is a network of Māori staff working in museums and art galleries, archives and libraries.
Since 2013, kaitiaki Māori working in the gallery, library, archive and museums (GLAM) sector have come together twice annually. There are now well over 100 members throughout Aotearoa.
Membership
Kāhui Kaitiaki encompasses all Māori working in museums, art galleries, archives and libraries, in diverse roles, front or back of house, paid or unpaid staff – we are curators, kaitiaki, collection managers, conservators, educators, managers, volunteers and board members.
Often we are the sole Māori voice in our institutions, and we work as the conduit between these and our hapū and iwi. We share and are inspired by current research and innovation in the world of museums and galleries within Aotearoa and beyond.
Purpose
The group’s long-term goals include professional development and innovative practice, succession planning to increase Māori in museum leadership and governance roles and support for upward mobility of kaimahi across the sector.
The purpose of kaitiaki hui is multifaceted. There are no other opportunities for our Kaitiaki to network and develop professionally within a Māori paradigm, and so this remains the most important aspect. As well as developing professionally, these hui allow us to learn and practice important aspects of Māoritanga like karanga, waiata, whaikōrero and te reo Māori, which directly supports the work we each do with our own hapū and iwi.
Meetings
Kāhui Kaitiaki operates with support from Museums Aotearoa, Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust, and National Services Te Paerangi and meets twice annually – in May at the Museums Aotearoa Conference, and again each October/November in marae-based wānanga. These hui allow us to meet kanohi ki te kanohi, and to grow a network of support and collegiality, as well as providing opportunities for professional development.