Beautiful Tongan tapa (ngatu) is on display for two-weeks in an exhibition at Te Papa Tongarewa [2], the National Museum and Art Gallery of New Zealand, by a group of Tongan women in Wellington.

Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu viewed the exhibition during the opening on February 5.

Akomai Heritage is made up of members from the Tongan women's fellowship of St. John Uniting Congregations Avalon HCUC Parish. They are grandmothers, mothers and children who come together to learn about making of the tapa (ngatu) “the Tongan-New Zealand way”.

Te Papa announced [3] that in addition to displaying the ngatu made by members, Akomai would also host three public demonstrations.

The group is based in the Hutt Valley region and are invested in learning and sharing, ensuring that Tongan knowledge is passed on. In the past they have also made other Tongan koloa (cultural treasures).

Meanwhile, the exhibition runs until Sunday, February 14.