On Friday 27 May, New Zealand Police staff will assist Te Papa with the repatriation of Maori ancestral remains which were traded, collected or taken over 100 years ago.
The remains of sixty Māori and Moriori individuals, returning from overseas museums and private collections, will be welcomed onto the Rongomaraeroa Marae at 1pm.
Sixty staff members from the New Zealand Police will play a central role as pallbearers in what is expected to be an emotional ceremony.
Washington DC’s Smithsonian Institution is repatriating the ancestral remains, which belong to at least 54 individuals and include four Toi Moko (Mummified Maori Heads).
Separate US and UK institutions are also returning a further six individuals.
Deputy Chief Executive of Maori, Superintendent Wally Haumaha, says being asked to take part in this special and spiritual ceremony is very humbling for the staff involved.
“It is a real honour for the New Zealand Police to be asked to carry the remains of someone’s ancestors onto the Marae to bring closure for many families.”
“This also demonstrates the trust and confidence that Maori have in the New Zealand Police and is another significant feature of the strength of the relationship between Police and Maori,” says Superintendent Haumaha.
This is the second-largest repatriation in the history of the Karanga Aotearoa repatriation programme, which returns the remains of indigenous people to New Zealand. More than 400 individuals have been returned from various institutions around the world since the programme was started in 1990.
The remains will be subject to quarantine, conservation and research before being returned, where possible, to whānau.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Media can attend the ceremony but must register their interest with Te Papa by emailing jenny.bridgen@tepapa.govt.nz
For any Police media requests please contact Media Advisor, Philippa Ormrod: Philippa.ormrod@police.govt.nz