Puke Ariki delivers Taranaki legacy

The legacy of the Taranaki wars will be revealed in an exhibition opening at Puke Ariki today.

Prime Minister John Key will open the New Plymouth museum's latest exhibition Te Ahi Ka Roa, Te Ahi Katoro Taranaki War 1860-2010 Our Legacy – Our Challenge at 10am during the public event.

Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand will view the exhibition at a private reception tonight. Taranaki War is the final part of the museum's five-exhibition Common Ground series designed to build background history and explore the Taranaki wars themselves.

Puke Ariki manager Bill Macnaught said the presence of the Prime Minister and the Governor-General is an indication of how important the exhibition is not only to the people of Taranaki but to all New Zealanders.

Taranaki War 1860-2010 tells the story that began in March 1860 when the first shots were fired in a series of wars that stormed through the region on and off for 21 years.

"This exhibition has been 150 years in the making and it is impossible to overstate how important the stories presented here are to some people in Taranaki," Mr Macnaught said. "It also represents many years of work dating back to the early entrusting and care of taonga under the Taranaki Museum."

Half of Puke Ariki's entire exhibition budget for the year has been used for Taranaki War 1860-2010 and in recognition of the national significance of the exhibition, the New Zealand Government has contributed $500,000, he said.

"This funding supports not only what you see in the exhibition but also a far-reaching, CD Rom-based education programme that will enable teachers in every secondary school in the country to teach this part of New Zealand history and allow us to keep the information up to date via Puke Ariki's website."

The TSB Community Trust has also contributed $200,000 towards the exhibition's events programme which includes forums, talks, tours and workshops.

"We are very grateful for this generous contribution because it has meant we can offer a broad programme of events throughout the exhibition period from March 17 to August 1 and it has ensured that everyone in Taranaki can be involved," Mr Macnaught said.

- © Fairfax NZ News