Y-Registrations—Treasured Legacies
In recent years there has been a growing awareness of the importance of taonga tūturu in Aotearoa, and this has led to a number of initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving these taonga for future generations. At Webb’s we take seriously our role as temporary custodians of a variety of taonga, and we follow a number of formal and informal processes to ensure we treat and document these pieces with the utmost care and respect. Here we unpack the significance of taonga tūturu and the ways in which we seek to uphold their mana as we assist in their transfer from one guardian to another.
Taonga tūturu. While generally referring to ‘treasured objects’, the words themselves resonate with a depth of meaning that transcends simple translation. These are not merely "treasures" in the material sense, but profound cultural heirlooms, imbued with the spirit of whakapapa and inextricably linked to Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).
These treasured possessions and points of knowledge encompass a vast spectrum, and incorporate both the tangible and intangible—the latter including te reo Māori, whakapapa, waiata, and haka. Being an organisation that deals in art and objects, our frame of reference is in tangible taonga, and through our Material Culture auctions in particular we are privileged to be entrusted with various examples, including pounamu, Korowai, tools crafted from bone and wood, as well as ecofacts such as huia feather and moa bones.
Each of these objects tells a story, reflecting the skill and artistry of its creator, and often carrying the weight of generations past. Because of this, the protection and preservation of taonga tūturu is hugely important.
New Zealand law, particularly the Protected Objects Act 1975, recognises the significance of taonga tūturu and provides legal frameworks for their protection. This legislation aims to safeguard these taonga from illicit trade and ensure their preservation for future generations. It also facilitates the repatriation of taonga held overseas—an often complex process that requires careful negotiation. Under this legislation there are two types of taonga tūturu: those discovered after April 1, 1976 (requiring ‘Z’ registration number), and those that are privately owned and were found before April 1, 1976 (requiring a ‘Y’ registration number). At Webb’s we most commonly deal with items in the latter camp.
Webb’s Head of Decorative Art, Leah Morris, is well-versed in the protocols involved with items that fall under ‘Y’ registration. She explains that these items can be identified by (as the name suggests) a serial number beginning with the letter Y, usually printed on acid-free paper, or hand written in museum grade white ink. Most objects will arrive with a ‘Y certificate’ which identifies the object and its history, although sometimes taonga comes in without a certificate—in which case she will contact the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to obtain a copy.
If a vendor is looking to sell a Y registered item through Webb’s (or anywhere else) they must be the recognised legal owner and be a registered trader under the Protected Objects Act. Similarly, if a buyer wishes to acquire a Y registered object they will need to be a registered collector. Crucially, Y registered taonga tūturu cannot be sent or taken overseas without the express permission of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
An important aspect to Leah’s role is identifying taonga that should be registered as taonga tūturu, but presently isn’t: “If an item relates to Māori culture, history, or society, was (or appears to have been) made by Māori or used by Māori, and is over 50 years old, it likely falls within the scope of taonga tūturu,” she explains, adding that in these cases she will firstly contact Webb’s local museum, Auckland War Memorial Museum-Tāmaki Paenga Hira, to arrange registration.
A Framed Huia Feather, Aotearoa. EST. $2,000 - $3,000. Price Realised incl. BP:$45,410.
“We bring in the taonga with all relevant information such as provenance and then they begin the process of registration. This can take up to 28 days and involves cataloguing and photographing the object for the Ministry’s database. When the taonga is released with its new certificate we can then offer it in auction. We can only sell to buyers who have licenses to collect taonga, and after the auction is complete the buyer then lets the Ministry know that they are the new custodians.”
Institutions like Auckland War Memorial Museum and Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand, play a crucial role in identifying taonga tūturu and establishing their provenance. Leah gives an example of a significant Kahu kiwi cloak that came into Webb’s care in 2023:
“We were contacted by a gentleman in Australia who grew up with a Kahu kiwi in his childhood home. The cloak was in his family for 160 years, but the vendor believed it was time to return this beautiful taonga back to Aotearoa. He travelled to New Zealand to meet with us and begin the registration process, which started with him providing all the known and relevant information he had about the cloak’s history. I then took the cloak to [Auckland War Memorial] museum to be looked at by the team there. After 28 days we collected it and placed it in one of our Material Culture auctions, where the successful bidder had provided a copy of their collectors’ number ahead of the auction. After the sale the bidder then contacted [the Ministry]. This precious cloak is now safely staying in Aotearoa, with its registration safeguarding it from being exported overseas.”
A Rare Kahu Kiwi Cloak, Aotearoa. EST. $30,000 - $50,000. Price Realised incl. BP:$72,895
Head of Decorative Arts, Leah Morris
When working on Material Culture auctions Leah and the wider team always endeavour to incorporate Māori practices of tikanga and kaitiakitanga to ensure that all taonga in Webb’s temporary care is treated and documented with the utmost care, and that their stories are told accurately and sensitively. In some instances, an item of taonga tūturu will have clear and well-documented whakapapa to a particular iwi, while in others Leah will actively research this information.
In any instance Webb’s always welcomes collaborative efforts with iwi to transfer the kaitiakitanga of this taonga back to them. An example of this occurred recently when a huia feather gifted by Kīngi Tāwhiao in 1882 was returned to the care of its iwi, Tainui. This pivotal moment in the journey of a treasured taonga was honoured with a pōwhiri at Webb’s, attended by representatives of both Tainui and local iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei .
The journey to protect and reclaim taonga tūturu is ongoing. Challenges remain, including the ongoing risk of theft and the need for continued resources to support conservation efforts. However, there is a growing awareness and respect for the importance of these treasures, both within Aotearoa and internationally. Through collaborative efforts between iwi, museums, government agencies, communities, and organisations such as Webb’s, the legacy of taonga tūturu is being honoured and safeguarded, ensuring that these precious cultural touchstones continue to tell the story of Aotearoa and tangata whenua for generations to come.
Glossary
Aotearoa – The Māori name for New Zealand, often translated as "Land of the Long White Cloud."
Haka – A traditional Māori dance, often performed to express identity, welcome guests, or challenge opponents.
Huia – An extinct species of bird in Aotearoa, highly prized for its feathers, which were worn by high-ranking individuals.
Iwi – A large tribal group or nation in Māori society, often associated with a specific geographical region.
Kahu kiwi – A traditional Māori cloak woven from kiwi feathers, often worn by people of high status.
Kaitiakitanga – The Māori concept of guardianship, stewardship, or protection, particularly in relation to the environment or cultural heritage.
Kākahu – A traditional Māori cloak, typically adorned with decorative elements such as feathers and worn as a symbol of prestige.
Mana – A concept referring to prestige, authority, power, and spiritual force, often associated with people, objects, or places.
Moa – An extinct, flightless bird native to Aotearoa, significant in Māori history and culture.
Pōwhiri – A formal Māori welcoming ceremony, involving speeches, singing, and often a hongi (pressing of noses).
Pounamu – Greenstone or nephrite jade, highly valued by Māori for making tools, ornaments, and taonga.
Taonga – A treasure or prized possession, which can be an object, resource, or intangible concept of cultural significance.
Taonga tūturu – Authentic or historical Māori treasures, often protected under New Zealand law.
Tangata whenua – The indigenous people of a particular place, often referring to Māori as the original inhabitants of Aotearoa.
Te Ao Māori – The Māori world, encompassing Māori perspectives, traditions, and ways of life.
Te reo Māori – The Māori language, one of New Zealand’s official languages.
Tikanga – Māori customs, practices, and protocols that guide behaviour and interactions.
Whakapapa – Genealogy, lineage, or ancestral history, which is fundamental to Māori identity and relationships.
Waiata – A song, chant, or piece of music, often used in ceremonies and storytelling.