Te Papa museum says it will be helping a Horowhenua iwi to maintain their treasures which are now on display at the new cultural and community hub in Levin.
Museum staff and members of Muaupoko iwi travelled to Levin last week to install 18 taonga at Te Takeretanga o Kurahaupo to help tell the tribe's long history in the area.
Te Papa's senior Maori curator Rhonda Paku says the museum was fortunate to get some in-house guidance from a descendant of that tribe, which has helped to build a stronger relationship with the iwi.
She says his advice has been invaluable especially in helping to make a good selection of which artefacts should be loaned to Muaupoko that will help them build their stories around the taonga on show.
Ms Paku says working with the Horowhenua iwi is a key part of the ongoing relationship.
She says the taonga have been loaned to Muaupoko for five years but the iwi may at any point seek to renew or review the loan contract with Te Papa.
