Sixty Maori and Moriori remains which were stolen or traded in the 19th century have been welcomed back to New Zealand.

The remains are being repatriated in a special ceremony at Te Papa.

The haka was deafening as the remains were taken in to Te Papa's main marae in a variety of colourful, small boxes.

They were carried in by the British High Commissioner, a representative from the United States embassy, and sixty police officers.

It's the second largest repatriation in Te Papa's history.

Among the remains are mummified, tattooed heads, a child's skull, a cranium, and two cross bones which have been traced back to a cave near Okere.

The boxes have been shrouded in a feather cloak and are now officially home.