Efforts are underway to try to get some of New Zealand's most significant Maori carvings returned to the country.
The carvings came from the meeting house Hinemihi, which sheltered the Tuhourangi people during the 1886 Tarawera eruption.
Shortly after the eruption the carvings disappeared, but are now for sale in Europe.
The chair of Te Arawa Trust Board in Rotorua, Anaru Rangiheuea, says they are very important to the Tuhourangi people.
He says his people want the carvings back but the asking price is expected to be close to $2 million.
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Rangiheuea says the iwi is trying to raise the funds but it is proving difficult.
