"Using a theoretical perspective grounded in museum practice, McCarthy masterfully brings the experiences of both museum professionals and Maori communities together over the past three decades and discusses the successes, pitfalls and frustrations posed by the social and ethnic tensions that exist in New Zealand despite the government's attempts at 'biculturalism.' This case study of museums and the Maori could fit any country where Europeans invaded and colonized indigenous peoples. This book is required reading for museum professionals currently working in museums that hold and exhibit indigenous collections and for anyone planning to become a museum professional. I would also recommend this to anyone studying identity politics, the history of colonization and de-colonization, and the advancements by indigenous peoples throughout the world who are engaging in the process of self-determination."--Shelby Tisdale, Ph.D., Director, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology "A meticulously researched and thorough history/ethnography/case study of how mainstream museums and cultural heritage institutions in collaboration with indigenous communities can work through ideological and cultural differences and formulate new approaches to decolonize museums and create more respectful and culturally appropriate practice Maori voices figure prominently throughout with the use of Maori terms and concepts (defined in a glossary), reference to the work of Maori scholars and museum professionals, and detailed descriptions of Maori approaches to the care and treatment of their cultural treasures, taonga. While the book focuses on New Zealand and the Maori, it offers constructive lessons for museums in other settler nations' working with indigenous populations or source communities' The book makes a significant contribution to the growing field of museum ethnography and in some respects can be seen as a monumental work in its comprehensive treatment of its topics.

It should be of interest to readers in a range of fields, including museum studies, anthropology, cultural studies, Maori and Pacific Islander studies, and indigenous people studies." -- Christina Kreps, Museum Management and Curatorship.