Repatriation ceremony, 2012. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa
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Repatriation Karanga Aotearoa

In 2003, the government mandated Te Papa to develop a formal programme for the repatriation of kōiwi and kōimi tangata (Māori and Moriori skeletal remains) from international institutions to iwi

  iwitribesMāori | Noun. Here you can learn about the repatriation process, see all the repatriations to date, and meet the team.

  • North Island Kaka, Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis, collected 24 Apr 1988, Waiterimu, near Ohinewai, Waikato., New Zealand. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (OR.024148/1)
    Repatriation team

    Repatriation team

    Learn about the people behind the Karanga Aotearoa repatriation programme.

  • A man in a feathered cloak at a repatriation ceremony at Te Papa's marae
    The Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme

    The Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme

    Find out how the program came into existence, how negotiations for repatriation are carried out, and what happens when the kōiwi tangata arrive at Te Papa.

  • A group of people on a set of steps in a room with other people
    Watch: Return of looted ancestors from Vienna to Aotearoa New Zealand

    Watch: Return of looted ancestors from Vienna to Aotearoa New Zealand

    Prof. Dr Eggers presents a background to the various collectors and expeditions involved in the illicit collection and trade of tūpuna and karāpuna and their difficult and long-awaited journey home. This kōrero follows the recent and significant return of kōiwi tangata and kōimi t'chakat from Austria to Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • Repatriation ceremony, 2014. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
    International repatriation

    International repatriation

    Te Papa has returned over 600 Māori ancestors to Aotearoa New Zealand by repatriating ancestral remains, including toi moko, from around the world.

  • Basalt columns that are mostly five-sided by the sea which has a lot of seaweed and foam in it
    Repatriation and return of karāpuna to Rēkohu

    Repatriation and return of karāpuna to Rēkohu

    For nearly 800 years the indigenous group known today as Moriori have lived, sustained and developed their distinctive culture on a group of islands in the South Pacific collectively known among its Moriori inhabitants as Rēkohu, meaning misty sun.

  • A group of people hold boxes containing Māori and Moriori skeletal remains
    The repatriation of Māori and Moriori remains

    The repatriation of Māori and Moriori remains

    Find out what happens to the Toi moko (preserved Māori tattooed heads), kōiwi tangata (Māori skeletal remains), and kōimi tangata (Moriori skeletal remains) before, during, and after their time at Te Papa.

  • Repatriation ceremony, 2015. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa
    Domestic repatriation

    Domestic repatriation

    Returning Māori ancestral remains to iwi (tribes) throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • [Detail] North Island Brown Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, collected Wanganui, New Zealand. Purchased 1939. CC BY-NC-ND licence. Te Papa (OR.002428)
    Repatriation Advisory Panel

    Repatriation Advisory Panel

    Read about the respected iwi (tribal) representatives who advise our repatriation programme.

  • Repatriation ceremony, 2014. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
    Regional / Local Meetings

    Regional / Local Meetings

    Regional meetings provide a valuable repatriation discussion forum.