Te Papa logo

Museum of New Zealand

Te Papa Tongarewa

RepatriationKaranga Aotearoa

In 2003, the government mandated Te Papa to develop a formal programme for the repatriation of kōiwi tangata (Māori skeletal remains) and kōimi tangata/kōimi tchakat (Moriori skeletal remains) from international institutions to iwi. Here you can learn about the repatriation process, see all the repatriations to date, and meet the team.

Repatriation team

Learn about the people behind the Karanga Aotearoa repatriation programme.

The Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme

Find out how the programme came into existence, how negotiations for repatriation are carried out, and what happens when the Māori and Moriori ancestral remains arrive at Te Papa.

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 (Māori skeletal remains) and kōimi tangata/kōimi tchakat (Moriori skeletal remains) from Austria to Aotearoa New Zealand.

International repatriation

Te Papa has returned close to 850 Māori and Moriori ancestors to Aotearoa New Zealand by repatriating ancestral remains, including Toi moko, from around the world.

Repatriation and return of karāpuna to Rēkohu

Since the early 19th century, the illicit collection and trade of kōimi tangata/kōimi tchakat (Moriori skeletal remains) saw the remains of hundreds of Moriori karāpuna (Moriori ancestors) stolen from sacred burial sites and held in collections, both abroad and within Aotearoa New Zealand.

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.

Domestic repatriation

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

Repatriation Advisory Panel

Read about the respected Māori and Moriori representatives who advise our repatriation programme.

Regional / Local Meetings

Regional meetings provide a valuable repatriation discussion forum.