An exhibition celebrating the art and legacy of Maaori weaving won Best Exhibition - Regional Taonga Māori at the Museums Aotearoa awards last night for Waikato Museum.

E Ngā Uri Whakatupu: Weaving Legacies Dame Rangimarie Hetet and Diggeress Te Kanawa celebrated five generations of Maaori weaving in an exhibition at Waikato Museum from 29 June 2014 - 28 July 2015.

“This award is a further tribute to these extraordinary women, who brought Maaori weaving alive,” said Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham. “Waikato Museum worked collaboratively with the Hetet/Te Kanawa whaanau and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku to curate the story beyond a display to a celebration of Maaori women’s achievements.”

Science, weavers and WWI were themes at the centre of winning exhibitions and museum projects in this year’s New Zealand Museum Awards. Thirteen awards were announced from 33 selected finalists including Waikato Museum’s For Us They Fell WW1 exhibition.

Museums Aotearoa Executive Director Phillipa Tocker says the breadth of talent and originality in the country’s museums and galleries is something all New Zealanders can take pride in.

“The originality in the stories being told in our galleries and museums is a reflection of the rich narratives that exist in our communities. I hope these awards remind people to take advantage of what’s on offer – these wonderful opportunities to be entertained, educated and challenged.”

The legacy of E Ngā Uri Whakatupu: Weaving Legacies Dame Rangimarie Hetet and Diggeress Te Kanawa continues in a book of the same name, available from Waikato Museum or the museum’s online store at waikatomuseum.co.nz.