Ireland to return heads
Political reporter
Two further nfokomokai (tattooed Maori slave heads) will be returned to New Zealand, but without recourse to legal battles or auction-room drama. The Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, Prime Minister of Ireland, yesterday promised that two mokomokai in the National Museum of Ireland would be returned to New Zealand.
Earlier this month a mokomokai was prevented from being auctioned in London by a court order. Agreement with the “owner” enabled it to be returned to New Zealand for burial. Referring to this episode, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said that Mr Haughey’s promise was especially pleasing as it had not required fanfare or distasteful
measures in auction rooms or courts. “I see it as an example of the warm regard that the peoples of New Zealand and Ireland have for each other and also of great sensitivity on the part of the Irish.” Mr Haughey has also invited an expert to Ireland to identify Maori' items of particular cultural significance in Irish collections.
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Press, 19 July 1988, Page 1
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168Ireland to return heads Press, 19 July 1988, Page 1
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