PENANG, 8 August 2014 - Tuku Iho Exhibition - Living Legacy showcased not only the carvings but the culture and history of the native Maori people of New Zealand as well.

"As an institution of higher learning, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is proud to be hosting this exhibition and work with New Zealand, in particular the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute," said Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman when opening the exhibition.

“USM will continue to work and build relationships with New Zealand to promote its culture and art to USM and Penang and vice versa,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia, David Pine, said in his speech that he also hoped that this collaboration will continue and that the Maori culture and art, especially in the production of weapons such as paiaka, patu and taiaha can be known by the outside world.

Tuku Iho Exhibition - Living Legacy showcased more than 80 very high quality exhibits including wood, stone, metal, and bone carvings and weaving depicting the life of the Maori community.

The exhibition at USM Museum and Gallery Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF) is open to the public free-of-charge from 8 August to 15 September 2014 between 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, except on Sundays and public holidays. This exhibition was also part of the event held in conjunction with the ongoing George Town Festival (GTF) 2014.

Also present were the Director of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Karl Johnstone; and GTF Festival Director, Joe Sidek; and MGTF Director, Zulkornian Hassan.

Ways of using the Maori weapons and weapons production using traditional tools were demonstrated to the guests. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photo: Mohamad Danial Shahri & Mohd Fairus Md Isa