7 August 2009
For the duration of the Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai next year an ancient jade vessel and a large and striking greenstone hei tiki will symbolise the many links between New Zealand and China.
Both items, which have been drawn from the collections of the Otago and Shanghai museums, are carved from jade – known as “yu” in China and pounamu in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dunedin and Shanghai are Sister Cities and there is a special link between the two museums.
Phillip Gibson, the Commissioner-General of the New Zealand pavilion at Shanghai says he is delighted that the two outstanding examples of jade carving will be displayed side-by-side at the expo.
“This is something very special. We are extremely grateful to both museums. It will be a real privilege to display these ancient and revered treasures,” Mr Gibson said.
The two items will be displayed in the VIP area of the New Zealand pavilion for the six months the expo will be open.
The jade cong is a tall vessel, standing 21.6cm high. Its exterior is square while the inside is circular. It was carved during the period of the Liangzhu culture, the last Neolithic jade culture of the Yangtze River Delta, which flourished from 3500 BC to 2500 BC.
Jade has long been valued in both Chinese and New Zealand cultures, both for its range of colours and intrinsic beauty, and also for what it represents. In Chinese culture, jade can symbolise virtue and wisdom. In Maori culture, the pounamu hei tiki may symbolise chieftainship and status.
Measuring 16cm high and 9.6cm wide, the hei tiki is large. It has eyes made from inset paua shell. The hei tiki was selected by the Otago Museum’s Maori Advisory Committee, which represents the four runaka (note to editors: “runaka” is the correct local dialect, elsewhere “rununga”) of the Otago region. Matapura Ellison, chairman of the committee, says the Kai Tahu iwi have an affinity with the precious pounamu which is deeply embedded in the wairua of the hei tiki.
Mr Gibson said the Shanghai expo was a “unique opportunity” for New Zealand in China. “We intend to have a distinctive presence, one that the several million visitors who will visit our pavilion will remember.”
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is managing the project, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and Tourism New Zealand.
Photos of the ancient jade vessel and greenstone hei tiki are available on request.
For more information, please contact:
Project Director: Mike Pattison, phone +64 4 816 8149 or +64 27 442 5799
Media contact: Neville Martin, phone +64 4 479 3684 or +64 21 124 3559
