Country Summary for NEW ZEALAND

“Taonga Tūturu,” (formerly referred to as “Artifact,”) is an object more than 50 years old that relates to Māori culture, history, or society, and was (or appears to have been) manufactured or modified in New Zealand by Māori, brought into New Zealand by Māori, or used by Māori. (POA, §2)

“Found,” in relation to taonga tūturu, means discovered or obtained in circumstances where lawful ownership is uncertain and where the last lawful possessor is likely deceased. (POA, §2)

A “Protected New Zealand Object,” (formerly referred to as “Antiquity,”) forms part of the movable cultural heritage of New Zealand and is important for aesthetic, archaeological, architectural, artistic, cultural, historical, literary, scientific, social, spiritual, technological, or traditional reasons.