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Cultural Carvings Return to Heretaunga: A Historic Repatriation

9/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Tamatea Pokai Whenua leads the return of cultural carvings, or pou, to Heretaunga, highlighting tikanga and ancestral ties.
Rose Mohi, a descendant of Karaitiana Takamoana, significantly contributed to tracing the pou's origins.
Six New Zealand museums endorse the repatriation, covering 32 of 62 identified pou.
The final display will feature labels in both English and Maori for cultural context.

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Story summary

Tamatea Pokai Whenua leads the return of cultural carvings, or pou, to Heretaunga, highlighting tikanga and ancestral ties.
Rose Mohi, a descendant of Karaitiana Takamoana, significantly contributed to tracing the pou's origins.
Six New Zealand museums endorse the repatriation, covering 32 of 62 identified pou.
The final display will feature labels in both English and Maori for cultural context.