Kataraina Poi

Biography

Kataraina worked at Tairāwhiti Museum, where she supported the primary Māori Guardian in the care, management, and stewardship of cultural treasures and objects (taonga Māori). The role’s responsibilities are deeply connected to the history, ancestry, and cultural significance of the taonga Māori, ensuring their proper care, representation, and respect within the museum environment.

Kataraina was responsible for assisting in the curation of exhibitions centred around Māori narratives and perspectives, conducting research and providing advice on incoming and outgoing loans of taonga Māori and on cultural protocols for the care, handling, and display of taonga Māori within the museum. She also works to strengthen and maintain relationships with Māori tribes and communities to uphold their connections to their taonga, ensuring their perspectives are prioritised in the stewardship and storytelling of cultural treasures & objects.

Kataraina is currently pursuing a BA in Social Anthropology and Māori Arts, and her goal is to further complete her Masters in Conservation (Textiles) at the University of Glasgow to advance Māori-led conservation and ensure the protection of cultural heritage for future generations. She is also a textile artist and is committed to revitalising traditional Māori weaving practices.

At the British Museum

During her time at the British Museum, Kataraina was based in Oceania section of the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas and her UK partner placement was spent at Glasgow Museums.

Kataraina’s participation in the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Edith Murphy Foundation.