May 24, 2022
Kāhui Ariki support Hinemihi return
Ngāti Rānana has welcomed representatives of the Kiingitangi to Clandon Park in Surrey, the home of the Ngāti Tarawhai-built meeting house Hinemihi.
Radio Waatea reporter Kereama Wright says there was an emotional ceremony for the members of the Kāhui Ariki, who are in the United Kingdom for events marking the 200th anniversary of Tāwhiao, the second Māori king and the first to visit England.
He says the visit highlighted the importance of a project to return Hinemihi’s carvings to Aotearoa, which is still causing some angst within the National Trust, which administers Clandon Park.
“It’s a culture versus heritage argument and some of them feel so connected to Hinemihi because Hinemihi has stood at Clandon Park for 130 years, they have a sense of connection to the wharenui and the question that was begged today was ‘what will we get in return?'” Mr Wright says.
The carvings on Hinemehi were removed in 2016 for repair and restoration, and carvers here are working on a replacement set so the originals can be returned to Aotearoa.