Ko ēnei kōwaiwai kiritangata te whakatinanatanga o te mana, o te ihi o ngā iwi e rua. Tērā ētahi ka pūtātarahia te arikitanga o ngā kākākura, Māori mai, Pākehā mai, o te iwi taipūwhenua tōnui rānei o Aotearoa. Ko ētahi ka whakatairanga i ngā pūkenga a te ringatoi. He kawe kōrero o mua ki ō nāianei rā e te katoa.

Toroa ēnei kōwaiwai kiritangata e tau nei. Kei te whai pānga atu koe ki a wai?

These portraits represent mana – power and prestige. Some trumpet the status of European royalty, Māori leaders, or prosperous colonial settlers in New Zealand. Others advertise the skills of the artist. All carry with them stories from the past into the present.

Explore these portraits which have found a home here. Who do you feel connected to?