Thoughts on Tahung was written nine years before Goldie’s death in 1947, and is considered by art critics to be his best work.
It depicts a priest with a moko tattoo, or facial tattoo, and a pendant known as a hei-tiki around his neck.
The sale to an unknown buyer makes it the most valuable Maori portrait in New Zealand art history.
“Goldie was very much loved by Maori during his lifetime, (he) lived in Auckland and met his subjects,” Richard Thomson, director of the International Art Centre, told the BBC, adding that it was the first time the painting had gone on sale in 33 years.
“New Zealanders have an affinity for their history and Goldie’s portraits have always been in demand,” he said, adding that his auction house had sold 13 of Goldie’s paintings since 2016, with buyers paying more than NZ$1 million each time.
The Warekauri Tahuna was one of Goldie’s favorite subjects and featured in a number of his works.
Māori make up about 18% of New Zealand’s population, although many remain disadvantaged compared to the general population when measured by measures such as health, household income, education, and incarceration and mortality rates. There remains a seven-year gap in life expectancy.
Last week, the political party sought to pass a bill that would overhaul the country’s founding treaty with the Maori people, known as the Treaty of Waitangi.
Thousands of people joined a nine-day campaign against the bill, which was ultimately not passed.
