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20 Maori taonga are on their way home from Paris.
The toi moko have been in French museums for more than 200 years.
The eerie cries of grief fill the silence of this Paris auditorium.
Today the missing pieces of Maoridom's treasured belongings
are ready for their return home.
This is a very spiritual journey for us,
who were asked to come here to collect the remains
of these ancestors and return them to Aotearoa.
Before the ceremony, tamoko specialist Derek Lardelli
led a contingency of Maori, Pakeha and French
through a blessing ritual.
A ritual that will now ensure better relationship networks
after years of conflict between the groups.
We all know how these ancestors' remains ended up here.
However, today these remains will be returned home,
for that we are pleased.
A Maori exposition to mark this event is on display
at Quai Branly Museum in Paris,
the exhibition has attracted over 320 visitors.
Nine museums and one university
have held these treasures in their possession.
It's taken five years to get the 20 toi moko here today.
The toi moko will be formally welcomed home to NZ this Thursday.
Aroha Mane, Te Karere.