South Island Maori rock drawings, dating back to early Maori occupation, were examined as scientific curiosities by many early European explorers and, later, museum curators, including Julius von Haast, Alexander Hamilton, Robert
Speight, W.H. Skinner and H.D. Skinner. Early on there was the inevitable debate in European circles about the artistic merits of the rock drawings, but their value to both local and international collectors is indicated by the fact that many artworks were vandalised – in 1916, motifs were first cut out of major sites by one Mr Elmore, a visiting American, encouraged by a few acquisitive museum curators.
In South Island Maori Rock Art, Philippa Graham calls on her in-depth research to uncover a plethora of fresh material about the sites, the landowners, the governments of the times, archaeologists’ contributions, museums’ involvement, library records and attitudes towards local Maori in early days. Accompanied by more than 350 illustrations and maps, an index and a Maori glossary, South Island Maori Rock Art concludes with a chapter focusing on New Zealand artists who have been inspired by the rock drawings.
ISBN: 9780473415860
Publication date: 01/09/2026
Price: $89.99
RRP: $89.99
Format: Hardback
Available stock: 1
Publishing status: Active
Author: Graham, Philippa
Imprint: Canterbury Museum Press
