Status: For immediate release
Date: 7 January 2020
Subject: Ngāti Awa Rāhui on Whakatāne River
Heke tonu atu ngā roimata o Ngāti Awa me Mataatua i ngā mate ohorere o te wā. E tangi ana mātau ko ngā whānau o ō mātau uri, ko ngā whānau o ngā manuhiri o te rohe.
Ngāti Awa tōhunga (spiritual leaders) and kaumātua have placed a rāhui (temporary ritual prohibition) over the Whakatāne river as a result of a drowning near the river mouth this afternoon.
Ngāti Awa kaumātua attended the scene with the deceased, the whānau pani (bereaved family), and the rāhui karakia (prayers) were held at 5pm today.
To respect the rāhui, people are asked not to gather seafood, catch fish, and undertake water activities in the Whakatāne river from Turuturu Roimata (Statue Rock near river mouth) to Taneatua until the rāhui is lifted at 5am, Friday 10 January.
Ngāti Awa tōhunga and kaumātua ask that the two-day rāhui is respected to acknowledge the tragic event, the deceased and the whānau pani.
Before undertaking activities on the Whakatāne River during the rāhui, Ngāti Awa tōhunga and kaumātua ask that people reflect on the absolute tragedy of losing a loved one so suddenly, the suffering of the whānau pani at this very difficult time, and the length of the rāhui.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the whānau pani who are left grieving and heartbroken as a result of this afternoon’s tragic events.
Ngā manaakitanga o te waahi ngaro ki runga i a tātau katoa i tēnei wā pouri.
END
For further information:
William Stewart
Mauriora Marketing and PR Ltd
(021) 220 8015
