Term 2 Course

17 May to 28 June

Week 1 (2 hours): Introduction to Objects, Taonga and Cultural Heritage Conservation 

·      Introductions and course overview

·      Defining heritage, taonga and material culture

·      Break (10 minutes)

·      Why do we preserve the past?

·      Types of heritage materials and taonga

·      Overview of conservation

Week 2 (2 hours): Best practices

·      Deterioration factors

·      Handling heritage materials with examples

·      Break (10 minutes)

·      Identifying materials

Assignment for next session: Bring in a family object, taonga, something you would like to pass on to the next generation or something you collect or value. Please limit to one object. Rules: No live ammunition or loaded guns, no hazardous materials, only items that can be hand carried. Bring a photo with you if it meets any of these criteria or discuss with the instructor.

Week 3 (2 hours): Documenting your heritage

·      Exercise: Share details about your object or taonga

·      Break (10 minutes)

·      Describing material culture

·      Understanding condition

·      Exercise: Fill out the information sheet on your object.

Assignment for next session: Research information about your object or taonga. Ask a family member for more details if it is whanau related. If unsure about where to start, ask your instructor or use the resources at Puke Ariki Library or Archives Research Centre. Add these details to your notes or information sheet.

Week 4 (2 hours): Sharing your heritage

Student presentations: Each student will give an overview of their object or taonga to the class. This is a good opportunity for those looking to improve their public speaking skills! Presentations will be 10-15 minutes depending on the number of students. The instructor can assist with preparing your presentation if needed.

 Week 5 (2 hours): Cultural heritage conservation techniques

·      Exercise: Group identification of conservation for objects from teaching collection

·      Exercise: Implementing techniques to preserve your objects and taonga. Students will be provided with examples of materials to help preserve their objects. 

 Week 6 (2 hours): Objects, taonga and museums

·      Field trip: Puke Ariki or Aotea Utunganui (Patea)/Tawhiti Museum (Normanby) or others, Guest talk from curator on how the interpretation and display of objects and taonga has changed socially over time

·      Exercise: Choose an object. What specific preservation measures do you see the museum using?

·      Course discussion, summary and feedback