Auckland's diversity found a new space in the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum this year. Kadambari chats to the people involved in making this a dynamic, community-driven space.

FOLLOW Voices on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public and iHeart Radio or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Auckland has the world's fourth highest foreign-born population and a new space at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum aims to reflect that, driven by the need to create a sustained relationship with Auckand's diverse cultures as they lead their own stories -- rather than a curated experience through the museum's interpretation.

At the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum, the space formerly occupied by the museum store became Te Taunga Community Hub earlier this year.

Akatokamanava Enua Community, Auckland's Cook Islands Mauke community, were the first to be invited to hold a two-month long exhibition of their community taonga in July this year.

Last week, Te Taunga opened its doors to second in line after the Mauke community - the Sudanese diaspora, holding their exhibition Sudan: A Confluence of Cultures.

The process hasn't been without challenges for the community dealing with artists back in Sudan caught in the middle of protests and internet shutdowns.

"It's been a tough time for our country and our people but we feel so honoured to have our stories in a distinguished space like the museum" says Dr Ala, from the community.

For now, the space has a two-year long plan of hosting a series of community led displays, the Tahitian diaspora up next in early 2022.

Listen to the full interview on Voices

FOLLOW Voices on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public and iHeart Radio or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details