Two Moriori ancestors, whose remains were likely stolen from their home on Rēkohu (Chatham Islands) between the late 1800s and 1930s, have been repatriated to New Zealand. The remains were transferred from the National Museum of Australia (NMA) to representatives of the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and will be held at Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, before being returned to their communities.
The journey of two Moriori ancestors back to their homeland, New Zealand, has commenced. After years of repatriation efforts, their skeletal remains, likely stolen from Rēkohu ( Chatham Islands ) between the late 1800s and 1930s, were transferred from the National Museum of Australia (NMA) in Canberra to representatives of the Hokotehi Moriori Trust. The remains were originally part of the Australian Institute of Anatomy's collection but had been held at the NMA since 2022.
The formal handover ceremony at the NMA saw the custodianship of these karāpuna (ancestors) passed to the trust. Belinda Williamson, a representative of the Hokotehi Moriori Trust, expressed the profound honor and privilege of bringing these ancestral remains home. They will now be taken to Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, and placed in its sacred repository alongside hundreds of other Moriori ancestors. Susan Thorpe, a repatriation researcher at Te Papa, explained that the remains will remain there until Moriori communities are ready for their final return.The next stage involves research into the circumstances surrounding their departure from Rēkohu and the individuals who may have taken them. Susan Thorpe emphasized her role in uncovering their stories and humanizing the process before their return. The identification of the remains as Moriori was confirmed through handwritten inscriptions. The ceremony also acknowledged the historical practices of museums and academic institutions in acquiring and displaying indigenous remains. The NMA's commitment to repatriation, as highlighted by Shona Coyne, First Nations outreach manager, was emphasized. The repatriation, she stated, signifies a deep sense of relief and joy and represents a genuine commitment to honoring the legacy of ancestors. The return of these Moriori ancestors is viewed as a significant act of respect, acknowledgement, and cultural restoration
Repatriation History Moriori Repatriation Ancestors Rēkohu Chatham Islands National Museum Of Australia Te Papa Hokotehi Moriori Trust
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