13 Jul 2018

Kiribati artefacts on display for independence celebrations

12:10 pm on 13 July 2018

Artefacts dating back a century are on display in New Zealand as part of a celebration of Kiribati independence.

The Auckland Museum's Kiribati collection is larger than most, numbering 1,500 items.

It's been curated by the Pacific Collection Access Project which houses at least 40-thousand objects.

Among materials on display are old newspapers, books, fishing hooks, baskets and fine mats.

Community leader, Charles Enoka Kiata, said the community turned up for the event which coincides with Kiribati language week, and many were impressed to see the many objects in excellent condition.

"This is a very exciting time for us and our Kiribati community people have the opportunity to come and reconnect with ancestral artefacts. So the people are coming to this museum and we have more than 1,000 [things] in our Kiribati collection at the moment," he said.

Charles Enoka Kiata said language and culture remain a priority.

Kiribati artefacts at the Auckland Museum

Kiribati artefacts at the Auckland Museum Photo: RNZ Pacific