Awhina Tamarapa

Dr Awhina Tamarapa (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ruanui) is a Māori curator, researcher and writer. She is a specialist in taonga Māori exhibitions, collections research, and a broad range of cultural practices. She has degrees in Anthropology, Māori Laws and Philosophy, Museum and Heritage Studies.

Awhina is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow based at the Stout Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. She is also working with communities on indigenous research projects led by Professor Bryony Onciul, University of Exeter, UK, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK.

She is a former Te Papa Curator Māori, and Teaching Fellow for the Museum and Heritage Studies programme, Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka. She was editor for Whatu Kākahu/Māori Cloaks (2011), finalist in the New Zealand Post Book Awards 2012 and winner of the arts category, Kupu Ora Māori Book Awards, 2012.

Photo courtesy of author

• Wikipedia

• The British Museum: Caring for the only known full kākāpō feather cloak in the world

• Perth Museum: Whiria kia tina – Making reconnections