He Whare Tapere: A House of Storytelling

Meet me here at the centre… Let us first build a whare where we can share a story.”

Whiti Hereaka, an acclaimed author from Aotearoa New Zealand, presents excerpts from her award-winning novel Kurangaituku (winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize at the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards). The novel retells the story of the Māori hero Hatupatu and his encounter with the bird woman Kurangaituku from her perspective. Part of this legend—Kurangaituku’s pursuit of Hatupatu—is also represented in Wharenui Rauru. Set against the backdrop of this unique carved Māori meeting house at the MARKK, the reading offers an opportunity to experience the story in dialogue with the museum’s collection.