Last Wednesday we marked the opening of Hou Rongo: Moriori, Music and Manawa with a dawn blessing at Nelson Provincial Museum

Last Wednesday we marked the opening of Hou Rongo: Moriori, Music and Manawa with a dawn blessing at Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Taiao. Whānau travelled from across Aotearoa to stand with mana whenua, share karakia and kōrero, and take part in the first walk-through of the exhibition in its new space.
Hou Rongo is an immersive, multi-sensory celebration of Moriori culture. Blending ancient wisdom with innovative technology, the exhibition transports visitors to Rēkohu (the Chatham Islands) and into the realm of the etchu (deities). Experience captivating videos, evocative soundscapes, scent reconstructions, and replicas of the only two known Moriori flutes.
We’re honoured to host this remarkable exhibition and to welcome our community to encounter Moriori stories, knowledge, and taonga in such a powerful way.
📅 On display: 5 December 2025 – 1 March 2026
🏛️ Developed by: Tūhura Otago Museum, Hokotehi Moriori Trust & University of Otago
💡 Supported by: MBIE Smart Ideas Grant
🔗 Plan your visit: https://www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/what-is-on/hourongo
📷 Tim Cuff
#moriori #hourongo #rēkohu #tāremoriori

A multi-sensory experience

Immerse yourself in Hou Rongo: Moriori, Music and Manawa, a multisensory experience celebrating the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous Moriori people. Blending ancient wisdom with innovative technology, Hou Rongo transports visitors to Rēkohu (the Chatham Islands), amid the realms of the etchu (deities).

Experience captivating videos, evocative soundscapes, and scent reconstructions, and discover replicas of the only two known Moriori flutes. This groundbreaking exhibition illuminates the cultural vibrancy of the Moriori people and their deep connection to the natural world.

Showing at Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Taiao, until 1 March 2026.

Date: 3 December 2025 – 1 March 2026

Price: Free for Nelson Tasman residents.

Click here to find out more…