Ngāti Hine and officials hui to discuss the return of taonga stolen by Austrian scientist Andreas Reischek

Ngāti Hine Iwi met with Austrian Minister Martin Kocher about returning all the taonga stolen by grave robber Andreas Reischek in the 1800s. Photo / Whakaata Māori

In the late 1800s, Andreas Reischek, an Austrian scientist, robbed Māori graves and plundered Māori artefacts for his private collection.

More than 140 years later, officials of the Austrian government have been repatriating what Reischek looted.

A hui took place at the Waitangi Treaty grounds last week between Ngāti Hine and Austrian officials to discuss the wrongdoings of Reischek against the Ngāti Hine people.

Some items have already been returned to Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Over 60 kōiwi stolen by Reischek were returned to Te Papa earlier this month.

Andreas Reischek. Photo / Te Ara

Austria’s labour, family, and youth minister Martin Kocher, who attended the hui, says it was “very sad to hear about the wrongdoings in the past”.

“There have been repatriations taking place. There is a very intense relationship between the museums in Vienna and the Te Papa museum, and I hope this will lead to the full repatriation of what has been robbed from here.”

Ngāti Hine spokesman Pita Tipene says the main goal is to get these items home to the people of Ngāti Hine.

“Some of those items are said to be treasure boxes, boxes containing ancestors’ bones, and some are pounamu and other items. We don’t know which ones but look, tell, unravel, and there will be an agreement to bring those items back home.”

Negotiations are still taking place on when the tāonga will return, and a set date has yet to be confirmed.