June 23, 2016
Wairarapa welcomes korowai Hinemuka
Wairarapa iwi today welcomed back a korowai that left the area more than a century ago.
The flax and wool cloak had been in the collection of the Rochester Historical Society in New York before being sold on Ebay for less than $200 then being resold on Trademe for $6000.
After some controversy, the Nelson buyer sold it on to Rangitane o Wairarapa, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Aratoi museum.
Masterton-based Maori Party MP Marama Fox says it was an emotional experience picking up the korowai this week from the Nelson museum where it has been held.
"It was quite remarkable. With all these taonga being traded across Trademe and all these images being appropriated, we have a success story with the korowai coming home finally," she says.
At today's welcoming ceremony at Te Aratoi the cloak was given the name Hinemuka.
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