18 Jun 2014

Dog skin cloak to be beamed in

7:11 am on 18 June 2014

A hologram of an ancient Maori cloak made out of dog skin will be beamed in to a Taranaki research centre from a London University on Wednesday.

A cloak made of dog skin, which is estimated to be 200 years old.

A cloak made of dog skin, which is estimated to be 200 years old. Photo: University College of London

It will be the first time the kakahu will be displayed by the University College of London, after being in storage for nearly 200 years.

The British educator has teamed up with Massey University and the Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki to transmit the image to Aotearoa.

Members from Ngati Ranana in London and a small group at Te Matahiapo Research Centre on the Pouakai Ranges will be part of the ceremony.

Event co-ordinator Te Urutahi Waikerepuru said the ceremony would be spiritual.

Modern technology would be used to capture and synchronise the movement, energy and wairua as the garment is unveiled with karanga [calls] and karakia [incantations].

Kaumatua Te Huirangi Waikerepuru will be reciting the karakia with kuia Mere Broughton and Te Urutahi Waikerepuru doing the karanga.

The hologram will be on display at the Taranaki research centre for an hour, and will be seen by a small group including Taranaki kaumatua.

It's a main piece in a University College of London exhibition, which is running for two weeks.