Repatriation of Koimi Tchakat

A pōwhiri for the largest return of kōimi tchakat held at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 2022.
The remains of 111 Moriori and two Maori karāpuna were returned from London’s Natural History Museum.
Credit: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewera.

One of the most important projects for our imi is the return of kōimi tchakat (ancestral remains), which were once unceremoniously dug up to be traded as curiosities and, for up to 100 years since, have sat in collections overseas and across Aotearoa.

This mahi is the result over over a decade of research and negotiations, and while this work is ongoing, the remains of over 100 Moriori karāpuna have been returned so far. The remains are being temporarily held in a wāhi tapu – a sacred resting site – at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, before they will taken back to their rightful resting place on Rēkohu.