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After being declared forever lost, eight treasured Māori whakairo rākau (traditional wood carvings) have been rediscovered in museums across the world.
Deidre Brown, a professor at Auckland University's School of architecture, went on an 8 year hunt for the lost whakairo rākau.
The missing whakairo rākau were first acquired by the Christchurch Missionary Society in 1823. They are the earliest carvings to have their meanings explained by Māori and recorded in text.
Professor Deidre Brown speaks to Mark.
Professor Deidre Brown Photo: supplied