France adopts law allowing return of Toi Moko

Up to 20 mummified Maori heads held in French museums could be heading home after France today adopted a law to allow the repatriation of such artefacts.

The French National Assembly decided to adopt a law so toi moko (mummified Maori heads) held in French institutions can be returned to New Zealand.

Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson and Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples said this morning that they welcomed the decision.

Since 2003, New Zealand has sought to repatriate Toi Moko and koiwi tangata Maori (Maori ancestral remains) from museums around the world.

Toi moko and koiwi tangata form part of some museum collections of Pacific artefacts dating from the 19th century. Almost 40 institutions worldwide have collaborated in similar repatriations so far.

"This is a matter of great significance to Maori," said Dr Sharples. "Maori believe that, through their ancestors' return to their original homeland, their dignity is restored, and they can be put to rest in peace among their families."

The act will let Wellington's Te Papa museum formally negotiate repatriation of toi moko with Museums in France. It is thought that between 12 and 20 toi moko are currently held in French museums.

Some in France had worried the case could set a precedent for similar action against other museums - a big concern given the Louvre's many Egyptian mummies - and lawmakers had debated New Zealand's request since 2007 when the Normandy city of Rouen offered to return its Maori head.

Lawmaker Catherine Morin-Desailly, who authored the bill to return the heads, downplayed that fear and said this was a special case because some Maoris were killed to satisfy collectors' demands.

Some Maori heads, with intricate tattoos, were traditionally kept as trophies from tribal warfare. But once Westerners began offering prized goods in exchange for them, men were in danger of being killed simply for their tattoos, French museum officials have said.

"This decision by the French Parliament acknowledges the cultural and spiritual importance to New Zealand, and in particular to the Maori people, of bringing Toi moko home to their ancestral lands," said Mr Finlayson. "New Zealand appreciates this gesture."

Te Papa, on behalf of the New Zealand Government, negotiates the return of Toi moko and koiwi tangata Maori.

Toi moko and koiwi tangata are repatriated to Te Papa on an interim basis, and Te Papa works closely with iwi to determine their attributed place of origin, for eventual burial where possible on ancestral lands.

- NZHERALD STAFF with AP