Raglans origami dolphins showcased at Waikato Museum

An exhibition featuring 1,111 origami dolphins that were hand-folded by members of the Raglan community opens at Waikato Museum this Friday [29 January]. The exhibition, ‘Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui’s Dolphins’ aims to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered Maui dolphin.

A symbolic piece of work, the origami dolphins were created by well-known American skater/surfer and conservationist Peggy Oki, Raglan Area School students and members of the Raglan community. One-hundred and eleven of the dolphins were made to symbolise the number of Maui dolphins that are estimated to be left in existence, while an additional 1000 were made to represent the numbers believed to have been in existence prior to the 1970s and also reflect the Japanese legend that folding 1000 paper cranes will ensure your wish will be granted.

Also on display alongside the origami dolphins will be a Maui dolphin artwork created by Raglan Area School’s junior students.

The conservation of the Maui dolphin is a priority for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) New Zealand which, along with other conservation groups Forest and Bird, Care for the Wild, Project Jonah and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is campaigning for the species to be protected.

WWF New Zealand Maui education coordinator Victoria Travers said Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui Dolphins is “a beautiful and inspiring exhibition that sends a powerful message about a national conservation emergency”.

“We are seeing a groundswell of community action across New Zealand from people like the community of Raglan who want Maui’s dolphins to recover their numbers. Maui’s are facing a very uncertain future but the commitment and sense of guardianship of the Raglan community for dolphins gives us great hope for the survival of the species,” she said.

Waikato Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala said the fact the exhibition has such strong local ties and a powerful message behind it makes it a “must see”.

“I hope everyone will take the opportunity to view the exhibition and absorb the message that the Raglan community is trying to put across with these works of art,” she said.

The opening of Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui Dolphins will be held at 10.30am this Friday and attended by Raglan Area School junior students and parents, representatives of World Wildlife Fund and Whaingaroa Environment Centre.

The exhibition will remain on display in Waikato Museum’s U-Zone until 28 February.