Australian Museum, U.S. Embassy and Pacific partners Embark on Cultural Conservation Project

14 November 2024, Sydney: The Australian Museum (AM) is partnering with cultural institutions and communities in the Pacific to establish a museum-to-museum initiative, the Pasifika Tauhi Project. Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Australia, the trial project aims to build capacity for cultural revitalisation and preservation across the region and assist in safeguarding local knowledges and practices, particularly from the impact of a changing climate.

The word ‘tauhi’ is Tongan for ‘look after, tend to, or to take care of’, which articulates the aim of the project, which will initially extend to four countries, including Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Tonga and Papua New Guinea in its trial period over the next six months.

The Pasifika Tauhi Project will establish multilateral connections across Pacific Island communities, connect practitioners to key experts in conservation, research and science at the Australian Museum and provide insights for further collaboration across the Pacific.

U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy said the Pasifika Tauhi project would help focus collective efforts to preserve cultural knowledge from across the Pacific, Australia and the U.S.

"Covering a third of the earth, the Pacific is home to vibrant and diverse cultures that speak a quarter of the world’s languages. The dynamic cultures of Pasifika peoples are captured and shared in the remarkable stories and objects from across the region.

“The museum sector understands the vital importance of preserving the collections and cultural heritage of these nations. Through the Australian Museum’s Pasifika Tauhi project, we will support work across the region to establish best practice, knowledge sharing and cultural catalogues,” Ambassador Kennedy said.

Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO of the Australian Museum said protecting the Pacific region’s rich and diverse heritage is a global responsibility.

“Museums across the Pacific region are at the forefront of the efforts to preserve and protect cultural knowledge and identity. This trial project is a positive step forward to help mitigate the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage,” Ms McKay said.

“There is a well recognised imbalance between Pacific Island nations’ minimal contributions to global warming and the severe consequences these nations face from the dramatically changing climate, which is already impacting ancestral homelands and important cultural traditions.”

“If the trial is successful, we hope to expand the project to other communities, involving other large museums across Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.A,” Ms McKay said.

Director of First Nations at the Australian Museum, Laura McBride said working with counterparts and cultural knowledge holders in the Pacific furthers the engagement and repatriation work undertaken at the Australian Museum.

“Through Pasifika Tauhi, we will work with museums and communities to identify small to medium projects that would benefit from the Australian Museum’s support in terms of revitalisation and conservation efforts, ensuring any project is self-determining and community led.

“As we establish reciprocal relationships in the Pacific region, we aim to strengthen networks of cultural workers to enhance the sector and the impact we can have in our First Nations and Pasifika communities,” Laura McBride said.

Melissa Malu, Head of Pasifika Collections at the Australian Museum, said she could see many positive outcomes from creating grassroots cross-regional connections in the Pacific.

“We have started discussions with Tuku’aho Museum, situated at Tupou College Toloa, on the Island of Tongatapu in Tonga. As we were discussing the aims of the project, the principal shared with me that the roof of their gallery has been severely damaged due to extreme weather events that have increased on the island, placing their collections at risk.

“Through grassroots connections and conversation the Australian Museum seeks to better understand the challenges to cultural heritage across the Pacific so we can effectively extend conservation support,” Melissa Malu said.

The initial pilot phase of Pasifika Tauhi project will take place over six months and will include a collaboration with museums in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This process will aid in identifying the challenges and opportunities for cultural revitalisation, preservation and climate research and will inform the next stage of the project.

For more information about Pacifika Tauhi Project, email media@australian.museum

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM’s mission is to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change. The AM’s vision is to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. The AM commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; to being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and to continuing to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. With 22 million objects and specimens and the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information on some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning.