Those invited will be able to meet Maori people in their own communities and 'develop an understanding of the continuum that exists between taonga from the past and contemporary Maori society', while Maori people will have the opportunity to get to know those who have the care of their taonga and to discuss with them matters of conservation. It is intended also to establish means for New Zealand conservators, researchers and Maori to obtain access to overseas collections 'and re-establish relationships with them'. Finally, the Council hopes that the conference will 'arrive at recommendations that can provide direction for future policy initiatives' in institutions possessing Maori collections.i6L