An Ethnography of New Zealand's National Museum : Grappling with Biculturalism at Te Papa.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schubert-McArthur, Tanja.

Series:

Routledge research in museum studies.

Routledge research in museum studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Te Papa (Museum)--History.

Te Papa (Museum).

Museums--Social aspects.

Museums.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (249 pages).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Milton : Routledge, 2018.

Summary:

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa has been celebrated as an international leader for its bicultural concept and partnership with Maaori in all aspects of the museum, but how does this relationship with the indigenous partner work in practice? Biculturalism at New Zealand's National Museum reveals the challenges, benefits and politics of implementing a bicultural framework in everyday museum practice. Providing an analysis of the voices of museum employees, the book reflects their multifaceted understandings of biculturalism and collaboration. Based on a year of intensive fieldwork behind the scenes at New Zealand's national museum and drawing on 68 interviews and participant observations with 18 different teams across the organisation, this book examines the interactions and cultural clashes between Maaori and non-Maaori museum professionals in their day-to-day work. Documenting and analysing contemporary museum practices, this account explores how biculturalism is enacted, negotiated, practised and envisioned on different stages within the complex social institution that is the museum. Lessons learnt from Te Papa will be valuable for other museums, NGOs, the public service and organisations facing similar issues around the world. Biculturalism at New Zealand's National Museum addresses a gap in the literature on biculturalism and reaffirms the importance of ethnography to the anthropological enterprise and museum studies research. As such, it will be essential reading for academics, researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of cultural anthropology, museum anthropology, museum studies, and Maaori studies or indigenous studies. It should also be of great interest to museum professionals.

Contents:

Cover; Half Title; Series; Title; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; List of illustrations; A note on the language; List of abbreviations; He Mihi; Foreword; Acknowledgements; Introduction: background and historical context; Opening story; Te Papa

an internationally acclaimed museum; Literature review; Museum studies: definitions, interpretations and concepts; International debates on postcolonial museums; Museum ethnographies; Museum as 'stage'; Museum as 'contact zone'; Biculturalism in an international context; Literature on Te Papa; Historical and political context

Māori activism and cultural revitalisationEconomic climate; Cultural redress: the Waitangi Tribunal; New Zealand society today; The evolution of biculturalism in New Zealand; The 'Museum Revolution'; The 'new museology'; The Te Maori exhibition and its impact on the museum sector; 1 Establishing biculturalism: constructing Te Papa and implementing biculturalism; Making Te Papa: an oral history; Reactions from the New Zealand public: Te Papa, a 'State-Prescribed' educator?; Remembering Buckle Street; Architecture and space; Framing biculturalism at Te Papa; Policy

Taonga, Mana Taonga and Mātauranga MāoriGovernance; CEO and Kaihautū; Exhibitions and visitors; Iwi Gallery; Back-of-house and collections; 2 Interpreting biculturalism: theory and staff perceptions; Biculturalism in New Zealand: discourse, understandings and models; Working definition of biculturalism; Staff perceptions: making sense of biculturalism; Interpretations; Struggling with biculturalism; 3 Performing biculturalism: creating Te Marae and conducting Pōwhiri (Māori welcome ceremonies); Case study: building Te Marae

Rongomaraeroa; The issues of a pan-tribal Marae

Contesting Kawa Marae

operational challenges of running Te MaraePōwhiri

contesting cultural beliefs; Speaking English at Pōwhiri; Te Marae

the centre stage for biculturalism?; Conclusion; 4 Learning biculturalism: training staff and educating the public; Māori activities as contact zones?; Māori language classes

a Pākehā production?; Māori language classes as contact zone; Waiata/Kapa Haka practice

a Māori production?; Taonga Pūoro

a space for improvisation; Whaikōrero and Karanga workshops

Māori-only affairs

The politics of participation

the interplay of managers and employeesMāori teaching style

foreign to non-Māori; Case study: a week with the education team; Conclusion: Te Papa

a contact zone? A place of belonging?; 5 Enacting biculturalism: organisational culture; Biculturalism at work: the status quo; Organisational culture: indications of biculturalism across teams; Sharing Kai

the meaning of food at Te Papa; 'Kia ora' or 'Hi'?

the politics of greetings at Te Papa; Manaakitanga and Tikanga regarding death and grieving at Te Papa

Notes:

Organisational rituals: a means to promote biculturalism

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-351-12137-5

1-351-12138-3

1-351-12136-7

1-351-12139-1

9781351121392

OCLC:

1090497021