By Emily Norman - Wairarapa Times-AgeTears of joy and jubilation were shed at the welcoming of a historic Maori cloak back home to Wairarapa yesterday afternoon. However, the cloak sold to a Nelson man instead via Trade Me for a profit of almost $6000. The 19th century woven cloak, or korowai, originally belonged to Wairarapa iwi and had been stored in the Rochester Historical Society collection in the United States for more than 100 years. Wairarapa iwi representatives, who collected the korowai from the Nelson Provincial Museum where it was being cared for before its return, lovingly named the cloak Hine Muka. Since appearing for sale online at the start of the year, the korowai has been in hot demand by Wairarapa iwi who wanted it returned to the area.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 23, 2016 21:10 UTC