12 Sep 2024

How museums give dignity back to human remains

From Afternoons, 1:25 pm on 12 September 2024

Last weekend the Auckland War Memorial began the process of repatriating six First Nations ancestors back to Australia. That partly on the advice of its Māori cultural advisors.

This is a marked shift from the 19th century when it was common for museums and private collections to exchange remains. Museum Curator Mike Dickison - who has previously worked to have Māori remains repatriated talks to Jesse about how they navigate such a sensitive area.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum lit up in Samoan colours for Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa. June 2022

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum lit up in Samoan colours for Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa. June 2022 Photo: Auckland Museum