Pacific Cultures

Learn about the cultures and traditions, both past and present, of the people of the Pacific Islands.

In the Pacific Culture galleries, you will find an outstanding collection of masks, ceremonial items, tools and instruments, all with their own stories to tell.

The Polynesian Hall displays items from islands encompassed by Hawaii, Easter Island and Tonga, plus Micronesia. Among the many highlights are an Easter Island moai statue, the only known piece of pre-European stone carving from Pitcairn Island and a red and yellow feather cape formerly owned by Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii.

The Melanesian Hall displays material from the islands ranging from Papua New Guinea to Fiji. Prominent artefacts here include superb figurative sculptures from the Solomon Islands, malangan masks from New Ireland, examples of Asmat art from Irian Jaya and elaborate turtle-shell masks from the Torres Strait