By William Terite.
The largest-ever repatriation of Moriori ancestral remains belonging to a single tribe have finally been returned to Aotearoa.
The remains have been at London's Natural History Museum for up to 150 years after they were taken from the Chatham Islands.
As the rain falls so do the tears, as 111 Moriori ancestral remains and two Māori ancestral remains are finally welcomed home.
An emotional ceremony that has been long in the making.
"The negotiations have taken over 20 years with the Natural History Museum in London," Te Papa's Kaihautū/Māori co-leader Dr Arapata Hakiwai said.
The remains, which include skulls, jaw bones, and a small number of complete skeletons, were taken from the Chatham Islands in the 19th century for trading and collection.
They were kept inside the London museum's archives and were not on public display.
"The world is starting to, I think, mature, to confront their past and own their past," Dr Hakiwai said.
About 200 or so karāpuna or Moriori ancestral remains have also been received by Te Papa Museum, from other institutions across Aotearoa.
The skeletons will be stored in Te Papa's Wahi Tapu until researchers can find out where they best belong.
"To have them brought back, and eventually taken back to their Rēkohu, in two or three years' time, is probably one of the most important things this generation of Moriori will ever do," Hokotehi Moriori Trust chair Maui Solomon said.
Up to 100 more Moriori ancestral remains are understood to still be overseas.
So the mahi isn't over just yet for the Karanga Repatriation Programme, which is the team that negotiates the return of indigenous remains.
"Give them back, where they can be embraced in the warmth, love and aroha of those who really treasure and value them," Solomon said.
A plea, from a community that wants to see their ancestors returned to their homeland.
