Dame Rangimarie Hetet
Dame Rangimarie Hetet of Te kuiti
The 1992 Governor General Award was presented by Dame Cath Tizard.
It recognised a lifetime of service in conserving and indeed rescuing the art of Maori weaving from neglect and possible oblivion. Dame Rangimarie was a fit 100 years of age when she received her award and was driven down from Te Kuiti by her whanau for the presentation.
At a moving ceremony in the Academy Galleries she spoke briefly in thanks. Rangimarie, her daughter Diggeress and one of her granddaughters, Kahu Te Kanawa had provided a special display featuring kete and four magnificent feather cloaks – two of them by Dame Rangimarie herself. One of kiwi and the other of pheasant feathers. This special installation was arranged with the help of the WaikatoMuseum of Art & History and the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington. Another of Dame Rangimarie’s grand daughters, Rangi, who was the first Maori Conservator of Textiles with the Museum of New Zealand advised and helped with the installation.
Kakahu Korowai by Dame Rangimarie Hetet
watch a video of Dame Rangimarie Hetet at work here.
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