ABSTRACT
This chapter presents and analyses how Karanga Aotearoa Repatriation Programme (KARP) works. It explains the historic and political background and how the programme came into existence. The chapter describes ideal return procedures undertaken before and after the international return, particularly emphasising the steps within New Zealand. KARP is made up of two main bodies: the Repatriation Team and the Repatriation Advisory Panel. Both are staffed exclusively by Mori. The team is currently comprised of three full-time employees, both male and female, from different professional backgrounds. Each has a specific role to ensure the smooth running of all processes: the researcher identifies institutions holding remains, determines provenance and helps prepare restitution requests; the manager negotiates and implements the return; and the coordinator organises logistics and provides additional support. The government mandate provides funding for the repatriation team and the physical repatriations, including costs associated with staff travel and the transport of kiwi tangata.
