The newest member of the Whakatāne Libraries and Galleries team has wasted no time launching into some overdue cleaning of the iconic amo (upright figures) at Te Kōputu. These taonga originated from Awanuiārangi, the meeting house used by Te Kooti, in 1883.
Now flanking the entranceway to the Museum Heritage Gallery, the amo need special care and attention that only a trained specialist like Valerie Noiret-Leblanc can provide, and the process will be on display this summer.
Having worked with some of the country's best conservators and display technicians at Auckland War Memorial Museum for more than a decade, the desire for a lifestyle change led Valerie to Whakatāne. Her move has proved to be a golden opportunity for Te Whare Taonga ō Taketake (Whakatāne Collections, Archive and Research Museum). During the next few months, the artefacts in the Heritage Gallery will go through the most delicate cleaning and maintenance, as Valerie restores them back to their best for summer visitors.
Valerie Noiret-Leblanc meticulously cares for the iconic amo (upright figures) as part of the Behind the Glass @ Te Kōputu project.
"We try to remove any dirt and dust that shouldn't be there, but not disturb anything that should be there," Valerie explains. "Monitoring the exhibits for pests or degradation is an important part of how we can conserve our history. I believe the taonga all have a living energy and need respect - I'm even known to sing to them to show that respect."
Valerie is always happy to share her love of her special work with curious community members, so will be undertaking work on objects of particular significance during opening hours so that members of the public can observe and ask questions.
The Behind the Glass @ Te Kōputu museum maintenance project will run 9am to 12pm Thursdays and Fridays from 15 December to 14 January, in the Heritage Gallery at Te Kōputu with free entry.
Te Kōputu is currently operating within the red setting under the COVID-19 protection framework (traffic light system), and vaccine passes are required upon entry.
Visit whakatane.govt.nz for information about vaccine pass requirements for Council facilities.
