Discover the extraordinary story of Hinemihi, a Ngāti Hinemihi wharenui at Clandon Park in England – and the plans for her proposed return to Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Join Rachael Chambers, curator at the UK’s National Trust, and Robert Schuster-Rika, Pouārahi Traditional Arts at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, for a conversation exploring Hinemihi’s history, cultural significance and the international collaboration working towards her return home. 

The proposed exchange would see Hinemihi return to Aotearoa and newly made whakairo (carvings) gifted for a new wharenui at Clandon Park, continuing the site's connection with Māori heritage. 

The team delivering this project is an international three-way cultural partnership based in the UK and Aotearoa, a living example of cross-cultural collaboration and the sharing of histories, ideas and expertise. 

Hear how this partnership has developed and discover the plans behind the proposed exchange. Rachael and Robert will share new insights into Hinemihi's history, including stories uncovered through recent archival research. 

Book your place to discover Hinemihi's story and the people working to bring her home. This talk is free, but spaces are limited. Please book to avoid disappointment. 

Book now

 

What to expect

• The event will begin with a pōwhiri (formal Māori welcome) for manuhiri (guests).

• Dr Zara Stanhope, Director of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, will introduce the speakers.

• Rachael Chambers and Robert Schuster-Rika will then lead a lecture exploring Hinemihi's story and the proposed exchange.

 

On the day

Please arrive early and be seated by 11.55am. The pōwhiri for manuhiri will begin promptly at 12pm.

 

About the partnership

The Hinemihi project is being delivered by a three-way cultural partnership formed of:

• Ngā Kohinga Whakairo o Hinemihi (The Carvings of Hinemihi): A charitable trust based in Aotearoa working on behalf of Ngāti Hinemihi for the return of Hinemihi in exchange for new whakairo.
• Te Maru o Hinemihi (In the Embrace of Hinemihi): A UK-based community interest group with multinational members who are united in representing the interests of Hinemihi and the wharenui at Clandon.
• National Trust: Europe’s largest conservation charity. As Hinemihi’s legal custodian, the National Trust shares in the care and love of Hinemihi with its partners and is committed to celebrating and supporting the life of a working Māori wharenui at Clandon.

The partnership is actively supported by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.  

 

Rachael Chambers' visit to Aotearoa is proudly supported by British Council New Zealand and the Pacific.

Rachael Chambers

Rachael Chambers is Curator for the UK’s National Trust on the Hinemihi Project, leading research into Hinemihi’s history in England. She is also Curator at Clandon Park, an 18th century grade I listed building in Surrey. After severe fire damage, in 2015, bringing Clandon back to use is the largest conservation project the Trust has undertaken in its history. 

On completion of her MA in medieval history in 2014, Rachael joined the V&A at the Museum of Childhood. In 2017, she moved to the V&A in South Kensington as Assistant Curator working with the photographs collection, and was part of the team that delivered phase one of the V&A Photography Centre. She joined the National Trust in 2020. 

 

Robert Schuster-Rika

Robert Schuster-Rika (Te Arawa) is a master carver, conservator and Māori heritage practitioner whose work is dedicated to the care, restoration and transmission of traditional Māori carving knowledge. Descended from the renowned master carver Tene Waitere, Robert has spent many years working alongside whānau, hapū, iwi, museums and heritage organisations to ensure that taonga Māori are cared for in ways that uphold both tikanga Māori and conservation best practice. 

Robert has been involved in significant national and international projects, including the conservation and completion of the Makareti Papakura pou in the UK, a carving originally created by Tene Waitere for Tūhoromatakaka Wharenui in Whakarewarewa.  The restoration of this pou was supported by the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific and now stands in the British Council headquarters in London. 

Robert is also a member of Te Kāhui Whakairo o Hinemihi, contributing to the ongoing Hinemihi Te Hokinga Mai project and wider efforts to strengthen relationships between Māori communities and institutions that care for taonga Māori overseas. His work is grounded in the belief that taonga are living ancestors and repositories of knowledge, carrying stories, responsibilities and connections across generations. 

 

Dr Zara Stanhope