Repatriation of Maori and Moriori ancestral remains from the American Museum of Natural History

• published: 09 Dec 2014
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On December 5th, 2014 the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa received 107 Maori and Moriori ancestral remains that were repatriated from the American Museum of Natural History where they had been held for many years after a private collector took them from New Zealand in the 1800s. The remains include 35 Toi moko (preserved Maori tattooed heads), two tattooed thigh skins, 24 koimi tangata Moriori (Moriori skeletal remains), and 46 koiwi tangata (Maori skeletal remains). The ancestral remains were welcomed back to Aotearoa with a formal powhiri at Te Papa, attended by New Zealand Government representatives, local iwi representing Te Atiawa, Ngati Toa and Ngati Tuwharetoa, and the American Embassy and American Museum of Natural History. Charge d’Affaires, Candy Green spoke on behalf of the U.S. Government at the very moving ceremony alongside AMNH colleague Dr. Scott Schaefer. Embassy staff and families were among 50 pall bearers.