Te Papa is undertaking a formal repatriation programme of kōiwi tangata Māori and koimi Moriori (Māori and Moriori ancestral remains) to New Zealand and to hapū/iwi communities of origin. The New Zealand government has agreed to fund Te Papa Tongarewa to undertake this work on its behalf. All queries regarding this programme should be addressed to Te Papa in the first instance.
In February 2001, the Board of Te Papa approved its policy on matters relating to kōiwi/koimi tangata Māori and Moriori. The policy provides a comprehensive framework for the management and care of kōiwi/koimi tangata in the Museum’s guardianship. It provides guidelines for responding to requests to repatriate kōiwi/koimi tangata from overseas institutions and museums. It also provides guidelines for repatriating to hapū and iwi.
Download the policy (pdf)
See a list of the international repatriation projects
See a list of the domestic repatriation projects
Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme
In 2003, the government mandated Te Papa to develop a formal programme for the repatriation of kōiwi/koimi tangata from international institutions to iwi.
Objectives of the Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme include:
- carrying out quality research with appropriate tikanga
- bringing kōiwi/koimi tangata home from overseas institutions and museums
- facilitating their final resting place through engagement with iwi
- maintaining close communication with iwi
- working under the guidance and advice of experts in the form of a Repatriation Advisory Panel
View the Waiuku kōiwi tangata report (pdf)
The Repatriation Advisory Panel
The current members of the Repatriation Advisory Panel are:
- Prof. Pou Temara
- Hokimoana Te Rika-Hekerangi
- Alfred Preece (Jnr)
- Haami Piripi
- Te Kanawa Pitiroi
- Derek Lardelli
Read their profiles
The Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation team
The Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation team is:
- Te Herekiekie Haerehuka Herewini
- Te Arikirangi Mamaku
- Amber Kiri Aranui
- Louisa Joblin
- Simon Jean-Pigne
Previous team members:
Sarah Freundt
Ruben van Mansum
Nicola Kiri Smith
Julia Ferloni
Laura Kraak
Alice Christophe
Read their profiles
Repatriation Resources
These resources explore the steps in the repatriation process, and provide information about the guidelines and procedures followed by the programme. The resources are also available in hard copy.
Access the resources (pdf)
Hui a Rohe
An important objective of the programme is to ensure that iwi have a forum where important issues about repatriation can be discussed and opinions shared. Wānanga and Hui a Rohe are facilitated by Te Papa to gain feedback from iwi so that Te Papa can endeavour to facilitate their requests and provide them with further information.
In 2010 and 2011 Karanga Aotearoa will be holding a series of Hui a Rohe throughout New Zealand.
Read more about the Hui a Rohe
Tukuna mai he kapunga oneone ki a au hei tangi
Send me a handful of soil so I may weep over it