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Published June 11, 2022 11:21AM
Statement of Regret – British Commissioner Laura Clarke
Outgoing British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke, is coming back to Tūranga to reinforce relationships forged during Tuia 250 commemorations before she returns to the United Kingdom.
Rongowhakaata, in partnership with delegations from Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Te Whānau-a-Kai, Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi and Ngāti Oneone, will host Ms Clarke at Whakatō Marae on Thursday,
June 16.
Commissioner Clarke visited Tūranga in 2019 for the Tuia 250 events, and made an official expression of regret for the treatment of Māori at the time of the arrival of Cook.
The Tuia 250 commemorations marked 250 years since the first onshore encounters between Māori and Pākehā in 1769.
Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust (RIT) acting general manager Teina Moetara says an ongoing relationship with both Commissioner Clarke and the British High Commission will be beneficial to the iwi in that it will help with access to Rongowhakaata taonga held in British museums and institutions.
“The fact that (British museums are) holding a majority of our taonga that we, ultimately, want to be repatriated is the reason why this relationship is important,” he said.
“This relationship is our connection to those taonga and is part of our repatriation strategy going forward.”
Taonga repatriation is an ongoing objective of RIT, and access to taonga held in collections abroad is often fraught with difficulties.
Commissioner Clarke will be joined by other members of the British High Commission as well as members of The Royal Society.
Rongowhakaata will host alongside neighbouring iwi and Ngāti Oneone in order to foster stronger relationships between Tūranga iwi.
The hui will be at Whakatō Marae, Manutuke, on Thursday, June 16, from 11.45 to 2pm.
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