16/10/2026
On the 17th of October we celebrate UNESCO’s International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognising the living traditions, knowledge and skills that connect people to their cultures, communities, and ancestors.
These photographs are of the Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa / Niue Heritage Journey in Aotearoa exhibition in Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero - Central City Library which celebrates the intangible cultural heritage of Niue projects and treasures made by the collective minds, hearts and hands of past and present members of the Falepipi he Mafola Niuean Handcraft Group.
Intangible cultural heritage is all around us. It lives in the stories we share, the songs we sing, the food we prepare, the celebrations we hold, and the knowledge and skills passed from one generation to the next.
In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, our communities bring an extraordinary diversity of living cultural traditions, shaped by mana whenua, Pacific peoples, and communities with connections across Aotearoa and around the world. These traditions help connect people to their ancestors, strengthen relationships between generations, and create a sense of identity, belonging, and community.
Recognising intangible cultural heritage means recognising the people who practise, nurture, and pass on these traditions. It means valuing not only historic places and physical objects, but also the living knowledge, skills and cultural practices that give them meaning.
This day is an opportunity to celebrate the communities who keep these traditions alive and acknowledge the importance of supporting their continued transmission to future generations.
Our cultural heritage is not only something we inherit. It is something we live, share, and pass on.
