Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Taonga need tender care - Te Papa

Updated at 6:38 am on 21 November 2012

Te Papa Museum is urging iwi to be careful about the environmental conditions in which they house taonga when artefacts are borrowed to be put on display in their tribal area.

The national museum has helped a number of tribes - such as the Muaupoko in the Horowhenua region - to provide suitable storage facilities and care well for taonga.

Senior Maori curator Rhonda Paku says the process can often be lengthy, but it is important there are strong procedures in place to ensure the preservation of those treasures for future generations.

She says both the museum and the iwi need to match the right taonga for the right environment - and whether they're physically strong enough to withstand certain conditions.

Ms Paku says there are a lot of checks needed on both sides before any taonga can be released into the care of iwi.

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