Priceless artefacts returned to Maoris: 07-11-2007
Almost 200 Maori artefacts have been returned to the Golden Bay
iwi by private collectors, according to reports in the Nelson Mail.
The treasures returned to the Maori included large numbers of argillite adzes and chisels, bone fish hooks, fishing lures and weights as well as some precious gem stone items.
Maori elder Uncle Ron Tapuke, from Taranaki, described the artefacts as "priceless".
"If people had not brought them here, we could not find out about ourselves and our past. Once lost, it's gone forever. It's so important that we know about ourselves and our customs. Each
iwi has its own custom and these (taonga) show our customs."
Owners of the artefacts contacted the Maori after seeing photos in an article and saying that they wanted to pass on their treasures to the
iwi.
The Golden Bay
iwi now plan to build a museum to display the items and try to educate people about the traditions behind the tribe.