Te Atiawa kaumatua, Sam Jackson, says portraits of Maori royalty, chiefs and Pakeha brought together for the first time in more than 125 years are taonga.
Thirty portraits by the early New Zealand artist, William Beetham, are being exhibited at the New Zealand portrait gallery - some of which have never been publicly displayed.
Mr Jackson and his wife, June, blessed each portrait - faces of Maori royalty, chiefs and Pakeha.
Mr Jackson says it is exciting that the descendants of those in the portraits will be able to see them.
The collection includes a portrait of 19th century Te Atiawa chief, Wi Tako Ngatata, which has only recently been identified as being by Beetham.
The exhibition will open to the public on Thursday.
