Pataka Museum in Wellington is hosting a world-first exhibition that explores the historical impact of Germany’s colonial past in Samoa and its lasting legacy – visible in the local Samoan community even today.

Pataka Museum in Wellington is hosting a world-first exhibition that explores the historical impact of Germany’s colonial past in Samoa and its lasting legacy – visible in the local Samoan community even today.

“It’s an amazing collection of old photos, heirlooms and historical information that includes everything from education to ecology of the time, to Samoan chiefs and German pioneers – many of whom have descendants among us,” says Helen Kedgley, co-curator at Pataka.

The showcase includes well known German-Samoan families that are prevalent in New Zealand sport and culture today including names such as Wendt, Schuster, Kronfield, Wetzell, Rasmussen and Schmidt.  The exhibition starts its journey in Porirua, Wellington before heading to Samoa.

SAMOA 'JEWEL' OF GERMAN COLONIALISM

 The period of German rule was from 1900 to 1914 but the German influence 'started much earlier'. 

 “Samoa was a thriving, educated, economic Pacific stronghold at the time of the German occupation and the information collected points to a fascinating period for Samoa, Germany and also New Zealand who took over when Germany went to war in 1914.”

 “Indeed it was seen as the jewel of German colonialism,” says Kedgley.

 The exhibition is a German initiative, with most of the material collected in Germany with Pataka adding material sourced locally.  Curator renowned Professor Hermann Hiery, with help from the German government, travelled across continents to research the panels he has created for the exhibition at Pataka.

Kedgley says that there is something for everyone interested in history, politics or the South Pacific in this exhibition.

 MICHEL TUFFERY’S GERMAN SAMOA

 The exhibition runs alongside Siamani Samoa (German Samoa) – another tribute to the German-Samoan relationship this time from renowned and celebrated Samoan artist Michel Tuffery.

 In the second stage of a world-wide tour to incorporate Germany as the last stop and Samoa as its first – Tuffery’s work includes a new suite of paintings, sculptures and moving image which brings the visual aspect of German Samoa to the world of art.

 “The projection artwork narrative for Wellington is being created to visually transcend through time – capturing pioneer German patriarchs merged with their living descendants,” says Tuffery.

Part of the extended Schmidt family from Samoa, Tuffery’s passion and depth of exploration into the historical links between Germany and Samoa also reaches into the impact Germany had on Samoa, and the possibilities of its future had it not fallen into colonial Britain’s hands.

 ‘INCREDIBLY PROUD’

 “There are many things to learn from that brief period including the possibility Samoa could have thrived immensely under German’s influence.”

 “It’s something in Germany’s history to be incredibly proud about.”

 The exhibition is being launched with bi-cultural fanfare both German and Samoan at Pataka on Sunday 13 November 2011.

 “It may just be the first time in a hundred years where a large crowd of Germans and Samoans share their food and entertainment in celebration of their old ties and new relationships,” says Kedgley.

 “It’s the most appropriate way to launch what is going to be a fantastic exhibition.”

Pataka Museum is based in Porirua, Wellington and specialises in showcasing Maori, Pacific Island, New Zealand, Asian and international contemporary art & culture.

For more information go to www.pataka.org.nz.

KEY DATES 

• Sunday, 13 November 2011: Samoa and Germany: Old Ties and New Relationships opens on 13 November 2011 and runs to 19 February 2012 alongside Michel Tuffery's exhbition Siamani Samoa.

• Sunday 20 November 2011:  Former Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa Misa Telefoni Herman Retzlaff will be presenting a talk titled The Enduring Legacy - The German Influence in Samoan Culture and History at 2pm at Pataka Museum, Porirua.