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A conversation about the repatriation of ancestral remains

When

Monday 10 February 2025, 5.30–7pm

Where

Visions Theatre

BOOKED OUT

Facilitated by the National Museum of Australia, this conversation with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa will delve into the importance of repatriation for Moriori, and the roles and responsibilities of community members and organisations, institutions and the wider cultural sector in supporting this work.

Over the last few decades there have been extraordinary developments in the repatriation of ancestral remains. This movement has been led by global First Peoples and is understood as crucial to healing, reconciliation and reparations for Indigenous communities.

The repatriation of ancestral remains is vital for First Peoples to reconnect ancestors with their homelands and communities, decolonise museum practice and educate the public on the value of cross-cultural engagement and collaboration.

Featuring Hokotehi Moriori Trust representatives Belinda Williamson and Jared Watty, and Kiwa Hammond, Dr Te Herekiekie Herewini and Susan Thorpe from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

A group of people, largely dressed in black, at a repatriation ceremony.
Placing fine cloaks and greenery on the tupuna – repatriation ceremony at Te Papa, May 2016

Jared Watty, Trustee, Hokotehi Moriori Trust
Jared hails from Te Waiharakeke/Blenheim, Aotearoa. He has recently embraced his Moriori heritage and is passionately learning everything about the Moriori culture to protect it for future generations. Though new to the role of trustee and still finding his feet, Jared is committed to supporting cultural revitalisation initiatives and advocating for Moriori heritage.

Belinda Williamson, Trustee, Hokotehi Moriori Trust
Belinda is a proud descendant of the Moriori people, from the island of Rēkohu (Chatham Islands). She is deeply connected to her ancestral lands and cultural heritage. As a South Island representative for the Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Belinda is honoured to advocate for the Moriori people and their values of peace and unity. Her professional journey is shaped by her work in pedagogical leadership, research and the development of Indigenous and bi-cultural curricula. She is dedicated to public service and advancing educational practices that reflect and respect the cultural richness of Indigenous communities.

Dr Arapata Hakiwai, Kaihautū, Māori Co-leader, Te Papa
Arapata shares the strategic leadership of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, providing bicultural leadership, guidance and support, and further developing relationships with iwi (Māori and Moriori tribal communities). He brings more than 20 years of museum sector experience to this role and has been involved in the repatriation of Māori and Moriori kōiwi tangata over many years, including from the Australian Museum, Sydney; Field Museum, Chicago; Glasgow University; Edinburgh University; the Royal Scottish Museums; and many other museums in the United Kingdom.

Kiwa Hammond, Repatriation Advisory Panel, Te Papa
As a member of the Repatriation Advisory Panel at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Kiwa represents Ta Imi Moriori as an advisor and facilitator of Moriori language, customs, and protocols. Kiwa is versed in ceremonial protocols and has undertaken repatriation work overseas and domestically. He has extensive whakapapa (ancestral connection) and association with numerous iwi (tribal groups) and kaupapa (indigenous initiatives and organisations) throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (Pacific).

Dr Te Herekiekie Herewini, Head of Repatriation, Te Papa
Te began working at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 2007 and manages the repatriation of Māori and Moriori ancestral remains housed in international institutions around the world. This includes developing and implementing establishing and building relationships with international institutions, managing the programme’s resources and ensuring Māori and Moriori kaumātua (elders) provide expert and cultural guidance throughout all activities the programme undertakes.

Susan Thorpe, Repatriation Researcher, Te Papa
Susan lives and works on Rēkohu Chatham Islands as a repatriation researcher. Her main research areas focus on landscape archaeology and indigenous methodologies, with a particular interest in bringing oral traditions into archaeological praxis. Susan’s work is centred on provenance research to enable successful repatriation negotiations to proceed and for tūpuna Māori and karāpuna Moriori to return home to their final resting places.

Hinerangi Edwards, Kaitautoko, Support, Te Papa
Hinerangi has whakapapa (genealogical) connections to the Māori of Aotea, Kurahaupo, Tokomaru and Te Arawa confederations and to Samoa. Her background includes education, facilitation, research, governance and workforce development. Hinerangi is a fluent speaker of te reo Māori and is a former Māori Language Commissioner on Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission).

The National Museum of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend this respect to our visiting nations, Moriori and Māori, and honour their enduring connection to their Ancestors.

Logos for and Te Papa and Hokotehi: Mariori Unity and Development.

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