Welcome to The Taonga Files In our very first episode, we open the doors to The Taonga Files and introduce the kaupapa behind the podcast. Join Amber Aranui, Migoto Eria‑Rowell, and Monica Tromp — three wāhine with decades of experience across archaeology, curation, science, repatriation, museum practice, and community‑driven research — as we share who we are, why we do this mahi, and what listeners can expect from the journey ahead. We talk about our different pathways into the heritage sector, the moments that shaped our careers, and the responsibility that comes with working with taonga and the communities connected to them. This episode sets the foundation for everything to come: provenance, reconnection, truth‑telling, and the stories that museums don’t always show. No matter which season you start listening to, this is the best place to start as it introduces the foundations of the podcast. You’ll hear about: Our backgrounds and what brought each of us into this mahiWhy provenance research matters — and why it’s anything but boringThe emotional, cultural, and historical weight carried by taongaHow science, storytelling, and community kōrero come together in this spaceWhat you can expect from future episodes, including case studies, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes insightsThis is your invitation into the world behind the labels and the glass cases — a world of journeys, relationships, and stories waiting to be reconnected. Follow us, subscribe, and join us as we open the first file. Every taonga has a story. Let’s explore them together. Glossary Taonga - possession, object, treasured possession, something prized Whakapapa - genealogy, lineage, descent Mātauranga - knowledge, wisdom Māori - indigenous person of Aotearoa/New Zealand, normal, natural, ordinary Moriori - indigenous person of the Chatham Islands/Rēkohu Tūpuna/tupuna - ancestors/ancestor Whenua - land, country, ground Iwi - extended kinship group, nation, tribe, bone Aotearoa - New Zealand Wānanga - forum, conference, seminar Mana motuhake - autonomy, self-governance, self-determination Pakeke - mature adult Kaumātua - elder Kaimahi - worker, staff, employee
