Many "win-win" benefits are expected to flow from a collaborative digital recording and conservation project involving rare engraved Moriori trees at Otago Museum. The Hokotehi Moriori Trust has been granted $10,000 by the Lottery Environment and Heritage Committee towards "urgent conservation work on rare and significant engraved rakau momori (Moriori trees)" long housed at the museum. The trees and engravings were "internationally important treasures" involving Moriori history and culture, an Internal Affairs Department communications adviser said. University of Otago surveying students (from left) Cameron Bartlett, Kade Phillips and Peter Latu laser scan Moriori tree engravings at Otago Museum yesterday. PHOTOS: LINDA ROBERTSONMuseum curator, Maori, Dr Gerard O’Regan said 21 sections of engraved trees (dendroglyphs) held at the museum had only rarely been on display.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 28, 2020 16:41 UTC