“When something like this comes up where we’re both excited, but also that sorrowful that we lost so much.”Also Read | New Zealand's egg shortage prompts SPCA warning on chicken ownershipBlair cited the example of a carved pounamu (greenstone) club, or 'mere', which is part of the auction.According to a newspaper report, it was originally given by Ngāti Whātua chief Pāora Tūhaere to a British vice-admiral in 1886 on the condition that it remained in his family.In an effort to return such objects to the place they actually belong, the British Museum is in “constructive discussions” with Greece over the return of some of the Parthenon marbles which were taken by Lord Elgin, a British diplomat.An American repatriated a collection of antiquities in November last year after realising they were likely illicitly obtained.In another similar instance in Australia, two rare aboriginal artworks auctioned by Sotheby’s were repatriated following a contribution of $500,000 by the Victorian government."