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 Photo: Auckland Museum