Memories of Queen Victoria return to Te Tai Tokerau

The author visited Te Kongahu Museum, Waitangi, where he was fortunate to be able to view the korowai which was gifted to Queen Victoria at Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight, by a delegation of Maori chiefs, who visited England, and were granted an audience with Her Majesty in July 1863.

This korowai was part of a gift of two taonga (artefacts/cultural treasures) which were presented to Queen Victoria; the other one being a kaitaka (finely woven cloak). These were given to the Queen by a Ngapuhi chief, Reihana Taukawau, after he addressed her with a whaikorero (formal speech) during their audience with her.

This korowai was brought back to Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), by His Royal Highness Prince Charles III, when he visited Aotearoa New Zealand in November 2019; as Reihana Te Taukawau was from Tautoro near Kaihohe - it is now on loan at Te Kongahu Museum.

The author would like to acknowledge and thank HIs Majesty King Charles III; the Royal Collections Trust, - Caroline de Guitaut - Deputy Surveyor of the King's Works of Art; Dr Christopher Warleigh-Lack - Curator of Collections & Interiors, Osborne House & Isle of Wight  | Curatorial Department; and Owen Taituha - Curator, Te Kongahu Museum,

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/cloak-gifted-to-queen-victoria-returns-to-northland-156-years-later/2ZVCZCH3Z55WYQDE6ZN7ZLYCNU/