Tapa Collections with Pamata Toleafoa

Tapa Collections with Pamata Toleafoa

From Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries by Auckland Libraries

November 12, 2025 · 12 min

About this episode

Pamata Toleafoa discusses the significance of tapa cloth and related items in Pasifika culture.

In this Awekura episode we talk with Pasifika Curator Pamata Toleafoa about material items which feature tapa cloth. Items include a signature greeting card to an early 1900s tapa newspaper. Pamata shares the story behind these items and the value of tapa material across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. To read more about this material: Listen to a series of talks on the 1780s Alexander Shaw compiled Tapa Book - https://soundcloud.com/auckland-libraries/sets/tapa-talks and view the page items online here: kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/c…144/rec/5 Visit to see these items on display at the Central City Library through to March 2026 in the Lupe I Vao Ese exhibition: https://new.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/en/lupe-i-vao-ese.html

People in this episode

Guest: Pamata Toleafoa

Topics covered

  • tapa cloth
  • Pasifika culture
  • material items
  • history

Keywords

  • Awekura
  • Central City Library
  • Lupe I Vao Ese exhibition

Mentioned in this episode

Products: tapa newspaper, tapa greeting card

Books & works: Tapa Book

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