Rāhui issued by Te Tauihu iwi

Te Tauihu iwi have placed a rāhui across the entire northern coastline of Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui as floodwaters continue to pose significant disruptions across the rohe.

The rāhui, which takes effect from Saturday 28 June, covers the area from Te Parinui o Whiti (the White Bluffs) in the east, west to Kahurangi Point, including Aorere and Tai Tapu. It covers all coastlines, river mouths, and floodwaters, and prevents the gathering of seafood and kai in these areas as well as swimming and entering the water.

The rāhui was implemented by the Iwi Emergency Management Rōpū, which works as part of the Nelson/Tasman Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), with the support of the eight mana whenua iwi of Te Tauihu.

Iwi Emergency Management Rōpū Tikanga Pou lead Shane Graham said the rāhui would remain in place as long as te Taiao dictated.

“It has to be healthy and that could be some time off. It’s sad that we are here again, but that is Tāwhirimātea and what we must do as people of the land is work with that - work with what we are handed.”

The eight iwi currently have representatives working as part of Emergency Management Operations Centres in both Nelson/Tasman and Wairau.