A valuable Charles Goldie painting, controversial due to cultural sensitivities, is up for auction in Auckland.

A Charles Goldie painting from 1938, "Thoughts of a Tohunga," featuring Māori elder Wharekauri Tahuna, is set to be auctioned in Auckland with an estimated value of $2.5 to $3.5 million. Goldie's works are highly valued, but the sale has sparked concerns among Tahuna's descendants, who believe Māori art should not be commodified. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage notes that permission is required for the painting to leave New Zealand under the Protected Objects Act.

November 24, 2024
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