The Māori meeting house : introducing the whare whakairo / Damian Skinner.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Encountering the whare whakairo -- 1. A history of the whare whakairo -- 2. The arts of the the whare whakairo -- 3. Interpreting the the whare whakairo -- Conclusion: Sitting on the paepae.

"This all-new introductory guide to the whare whakairo, or Māori meeting house, covers every aspect of these magnificent taongataongatreasures - their history and evolution, structure and art forms, symbolism and cultural power. Generously illustrated with over a hundred intriguing historical and contemporary photographs, and containing original watercolour illustrations and a helpful glossary, the book clearly illustrates the parts - and the arts - of the whare whakairo, with reference to numerous houses from all over Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. In accessible and engaging text across three concise chapters, Damian Skinner brings together existing scholarship on whare whakairo with his own reflections as a Pākehā art historian and curator. He weaves in the voices of many carvers, artists, architects, writers, experts and iwi to give every reader new ways of seeing these taonga - whether it is their first visit or their hundredth. Equal parts informative history, personal essay and illustrated guidebook, The Māori Meeting House makes an important contribution to contemporary discussions about indigenous art history and taonga Māori."--Publisher's website.