Caught in the middle : museums, taonga tūturu, and the practical realities of the Protected Objects Act 1975 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Museum Studies at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, New Zealand

Abstract

In recent years taonga tūturu have unexpectedly revealed themselves after extreme weather events, generational inheritance, and chance encounters with the public. Ngā taonga tūturu are ancestral Māori cultural objects of historical, archaeological, and cultural significance. These moments of discovery collapse temporal boundaries, bringing the past into the present and confronting people with complex emotional, ethical, and legal questions about what to do next. Enter, the Protected Objects Act 1975 (POA). Museums are often at the forefront of these interactions, but their role is complicated by historic and ongoing mistrust between museums and the public, and between museums and Māori. These relationships have been shaped by colonial collecting practices and uneven power relationships. This qualitative research draws on existing literature, case studies, and interviews to examine how museums in Aotearoa New Zealand navigate their role within the POA, and how this shapes the outcomes for taonga tūturu in practice. The findings reveal that museums can navigate the POA more effectively when processes are Māori-led, relationships with iwi and hapū are prioritised, and adequate time is allowed for trust to develop. They also demonstrate the value of proactive museum approaches that inform the public about the law as well as the grey areas and ethical dilemmas museum workers experience at the intersection of public discoveries and the POA. The research also highlights the emotions at play for individuals in possession of taonga, including hesitation, fear of loss, attachment, and suspicion toward institutions. Generational change is significant, with people inheriting collections increasingly choosing to place taonga into museum care. In a sector operating in a state of flux and threatened by funding cuts, this research demonstrates the need for clearer guidance, relational investment, and policy awareness of the limits museums face as they seek to connect people with the past, present, and future.