Toi moko Tū Atu Toi moko Tū Mai - The Trade and Repatriation of Toi moko

This thesis focuses on tikanga Māori (deep Māori philosophy, traditions, ethics and values) associated with the commercial trade of Toi moko (preserved Māori ancestral heads) and kōiwi tangata (Māori skeletal remains) from 1769 to the present day, as well as tikanga associated with the repatriation of Toi moko and kōiwi tangata from overseas institutions from the 1980s. This research seeks to understand the connection tikanga has with the rationale for rangatira in the early 1800s to engage in the commercial trade of Toi moko and then explores the relationship between contemporary tikanga Māori in seeking the return of the same ancestors from overseas institutions six generations later.

As well as historical archival research, case studies, interviews, and observation of current professional museum practice. I employ a kaupapa Māori research approach derived from Māori academics, theorists and philosophers including Te Rangikāheke (Te Arawa), Professor Linda Smith (Ngāti Porou), Professor Ranginui Walker (Whakatōhea), Reverend Māori Marsden (Te Tai Tokerau), kaumātua belonging to the Te Hāhi Rātana (The Rātana Church) as well as Professor Sir Hirini Moko Mead (Ngāti Awa) and others, to understand, examine and interpret historical and contemporary perspectives associated with the trade and repatriation of Māori ancestral remains. This methodology challenges Western and European narratives that justified a deep-rooted history of trading in indigenous, brown, and black people’s bodies from the late 1400s to the 1980s. This thesis, also examines ways to achieve repatriation, restitution, and reconciliation by analysing the Māori repatriation movement from the 1980s as well as the personal views of repatriation champions associated with overseas institutions and groups, particularly focusing on their central ethics and values and how these connect and intersect with tikanga held by contemporary Māori. In terms of conclusions, this research finds a deep and enduring connection between tikanga Māori, its relationship to tapu and noa, mana and political agency and the original trade of Toi moko between the years 1769 to 1840 as well as their subsequent repatriation from the 1980s by contemporary Māori to their homelands in Aotearoa New Zealand.