Kiwi feathers collected from across the US and Europe will soon be brought back to New Zealand as part of an international repatriation effort.
The NZ Ambassador to the US, Rosemary Banks accepted the kiwi feathers on behalf of New Zealand during an event led by Save the Kiwi at the NZ Residence in Washington DC.
Banks said the return and gifting of kiwi feathers back to Aotearoa was significant for all that it represented in Māori culture.
“This repatriation of kiwi feathers really does symbolise the way we work with each other; with respect to our indigenous people and with respect for our taonga,” she said.
Save the Kiwi chief executive Michelle Impey said she was “emotional” knowing the feathers would be flown back to their whenua.
“The Kiwis that were at the event, along with Kiwis back at home, are so appreciative of the efforts these international facilities have gone to, to respect tikanga Māori and give this special manu the respect it deserves.”
When the feathers are returned to Aotearoa, they would be entrusted to Te Papa museum in Wellington.
Where possible, the feathers will be returned to the iwi the birds originally came from. The remaining feathers will be used in the maintenance and care of the national collection.
Te Papa’s modern and contemporary Māori and indigenous art curator, Isaac te Awa said kiwi and other manu species were “very significant to te ao Māori”.
“It’s important to Māori that where possible, these feathers return home. We’re grateful to National Zoo and Conservation Biological Institute and the overseas institutions that participated in this repatriation, returning them to their whenua.
“It will be an honour to receive this taonga on behalf of tangata whenua,” he said.
The kiwi feathers are expected to arrive at Te Papa later in the year.
