Ngāti Hei has placed a rāhui, a temporary form of tapu, over Wharekaho Simpsons Beach in the Coromandel following the death of a beached sperm whale.
The rāhui will be in place for five days and is in collobaration with Ngāti Hei, DOC, Waikato Regional Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, and Whitianga Police.
Ngāti Hei has named the sperm whale ‘Puhiwai Rangi’ which refers to the name of the whenua adjacent to where the deceased whale was beached.
Ngāti Hei kaumātua Joe Davis said “Puhiwai Rangi has been brought back to Wharekaho”.
“The Taonga will live on with cultural significance and respect.”
The site has been secured for cultural and health and safety reasons, and according to TCDC, Ngāti Hei and Hauraki iwi were working through their operation plan with assistance from DOC.
Ngāti Hei has asked for members of the public to be patient as it was “an emotional time for all involved”, TCDC said.
