Fears over lost treasures

Press, 17 January 1989, Page 1

Fears over lost treasures

By

JANE ENGLAND

Maori affairs reporter

The chairman of the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board fears that priceless Maori taonga (treasures) which were stolen during a Christmas Eve raid on his Wellington home may have left the country. Mr Tipene O’Regan, a Maori fisheries negotiator and consultant on Maori issues to the Government, was deeply upset by the loss of the taonga.

He discovered the theft after returning home on Boxing Day. The thief had entered the downstairs office and study to steal a valuable waha ika (handclub), a piece of rare pounamu (greenstone) and about five carved pendants. Office equipment was also taken.

The burglary appeared to have been related to the theft of the family’s car on December 23. Mr O’Regan’s son, Gerard, awoke to the sound of the car being driven from the garage. “He rushed outside just in time

to see the headlights disappearing over the crest of the hill,” said Mr O’Regan. “It was the first new car we had.” It is now thought that a spare

set of house keys were taken at the same time and used for the second burglary on Christmas Eve.

Mr O’Regan fears that the taonga could be sold illegally through auction rooms to local or overseas buyers. “As well as the sadness and emptiness which is felt at this loss there is the sure and certain knowledge of what is likely to happen to the people into whose hands they improperly fall,” he said.

Under Maori custom it is believed that people who take or buy such taonga may become ill or die as a consequence.

“I have no sympathy for those people?’ said Mr O’Regan.

“The car and the office equipment are replaceable. The taonga are unique.” Mr O’Regan has photographs of the missing pieces. He has invited anyone who may have information leading to their recovery to approach him directly or to tell the police.