Originally screened as part of Kaleidoscope series. More than 174 valuable taonga left New Zealand for an exhibition in New York. Each represented some of the best in traditional Māori art with some pieces more than 1000 years old. At the Hawkes Bay Museum standing fast was “Ko te Kauru O Te Rangi.” The people of Ngāti Kahungunu were reluctant to let him travel so far, a feeling that represented many around the country. However, after lengthy wānanga they agreed and following a fitting farewell Ko te Kauru O Te Rangi was packed and set to New York to join the rest of Te Māori. One of the best known New York museums is the Metropolitan near Central Park. During its 114 year history New Yorkers have flocked here to view ancient treasures from China, the Vatican, the Russian icons, King Tutankamen and now Te Māori. After 7 years of negotiation, the Te Māori Exhibition was finally installed in a gallery set aside for the taonga. The first to leave Aotearoa with the blessing of the Māori people, the first to be returned home and with an insurance of 30 million dollars. Some have been in New Zealand Museums for over 100 years but have never been given this treatment or status before. Elders and representatives from Aotearoa arrived and spend the day before the opening, sight seeing. On Monday morning 200 official party and 150 press corps took part in the early morning opening and tapu lifting ceremony. This was followed by the hakari (luncheon in this case) and speeches. In the first 18 days more than 32,000 people paid at the door to see Te Māori. In one weekend alone 9000 came. From New York the exhibition travelled to St Louis, San Francisco then home to New Zealand. For “Ko te Kauru O Te Rangi” this trip is a oncer, his people are building a meeting house to give him pride of place and once these taonga return to New Zealand it’s unlikely they’ll ever leave the land again.