"A French court has definitively quashed plans to return the preserved Maori head from western France to New Zealand."
(Via tvnz.co.nz)
This is very topical after "The Man who lost his head" screened here (in NZ) over Christmas/New Year. Ian, played by Martin Clunes was charged with doing the visit to NZ and make sure the carved head of a Maori Chief held by his museum was not returned to its people. Interesting to see Ian initially completely bewildered by tikanga (Maori customs and culture) then the journey he takes as he comes to gradually understand their ways. If you haven't seen this, do, it's a good introduction to tikanga for pakeha (non-Maori).
The sensitivities of one culture holding onto item belonging to another will no doubt be an ethical debate for centuries to come, after all, all museums are full to "stuff" from other places, however in this case my vote is with the Maori. Human remains have a special case and should I believe be returned to their "home lands" and allowed to rest in peace (or what ever the local custom is).
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