Enter and explore the powerful, ancestral world of the whare whakairo, or Maori meeting house, with this engaging illustrated guide. Richly illustrated with more than 100 historical and contemporary photographs and original watercolour illustrations, The Maori Meeting House celebrates every aspect of these magnificent taonga (treasures) - their history and art forms, symbolism and cultural significance. In a clear, informative and personal narrative, Damian Skinner brings together existing scholarship on whare whakairo and his own reflections as a Pakeha art historian and curator, with reference to meeting houses from all over Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. The voices of carvers, artists, architects, writers, experts and iwi are woven into the text, to give every reader new ways of seeing these taonga - whether it is your first view or your hundredth. Equal parts history, personal essay and illustrated guidebook, The Maori Meeting House is an important contribution to contemporary discussions about Maori art and art history. "A welcome addition to the growing body of literature on the modern meeting house as a statement of Maori identity, culture and mana." - Ranginui Walker "This fine book is deeply felt and researched, gorgeously illustrated and eloquently written. It breathes respect and admiration for the artists and communities who produced these masterworks, taonga that adorn the landscapes of Aotearoa. A work to spend time with, and cherish." - Dame Anne Salmond