Parihaka - the struggle for peace is the name of a brand new exhibition opening in September. It opens in Puke Ariki's temporary exhibitions gallery on 13 September and runs until 15 February 2004. This is a fresh take on this powerful story of non-violence. The unique display documents the story of Parihaka through the use of objects, photographs, artworks, waiata (songs), video and oral recordings. This intrinsic mix of media, fused with strong personal accounts, means the full story will unfold here in Taranaki - where it all began.

The Parihaka exhibition is a narrative about one kainga (village's) struggle for peace in Taranaki, a place all too familiar with war. Puke Ariki's aim is to put the Parihaka story of the 1881 invasion into context. Here, the taonga of Parihaka has a voice. This exhibition will integrate accounts with artefacts to chronicle the social history of Parihaka - the story, the place, the people.

Puke Ariki's account of Parihaka starts with the history of the tangata whenua and the beginning of the kainga, and the impact of European culture and technology upon Māori society - both positive and negative. The journey leads to the passive resistance movement that was born out of the land confiscations and the invasion of Aotearoa by European settlers and British troops.

As a combined museum, library and visitor information centre, Puke Ariki enables this exhibition to extend into other areas of the facility by providing reference links to further resources.

Puke Ariki, in partnership with the Parihaka Pā Trustees, believes this exhibition is highly significant for the people of Taranaki and New Zealand. The development of the Parihaka Events Programme reflects this, with nationally and internationally recognised artists, poets, lecturers, historians, writers and entertainers taking part. They are expressing their response to this sensitive and challenging story, while also celebrating the struggle for peace and the future aspirations of Parihaka and its place in the world.

The structure of this exhibition will be based around:

• 7 waiata
• Over 100 objects
• About 160 images/photos
• 12 paintings
• Close to 11 hours of video
• About 5 hours of oral history
• 3 audio-visual accounts

The Lane Gallery in the South Wing of Puke Ariki is also displaying artworks in conjunction with the Parihaka - the struggle for peace exhibition.

Vivid, the retail space in Puke Ariki, has developed a range of items featuring objects, works and traditions linked to the Parihaka exhibition. Puke Ariki has a collection of blue glass bowls from Parihaka, which are being used to develop a range of similar merchandise, with the blessing of the kainga's trustees. These blue glass products include plates plus wine and drinking glasses. Vivid will also be selling a selection of T-shirts, mugs, postcards, stickers, books and journals related to the Parihaka - the struggle for peace exhibition.

Puke Ariki would like to acknowledge the following for their support: