Several mana whenua iwi are lobbying Auckland Council about the scattering of human ashes in public places.
One tribal leader says the practice is repugnant and goes against Māori protocol.
It's an issue that has long been debated.
Dame Naida Glavish of Ngāti Whātua iwi strongly disagrees with the scattering of ashes in public places.
"Scattering ashes in waterways is disgusting. It's where our food is swimming, and growing to sustain us," she told TVNZ1's Te Karere.
Several iwi made submissions to Auckland Council to ban the practice, especially in waterways and Dame Naida says council needs to take heed of iwi recommendations.
"This isn't a Māori practice of this land. We're not speaking about other lands, we are speaking of this land. We don't agree," she said.
Councillor Linda Cooper says the council is undertaking a process to ensure everyone will have a say so that any bylaws will be in the interest of everyone.
"In our adoption of our Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw, I added a couple of resolutions that said we need to actually listen to what iwi have said and we need to go out and have a wider conversation," she said.
"But it's such a sensitive issue. And I think it needs to be managed really well so everybody is involved."
Dame Naida urges all Māori to stand together on the issue.
The issue has been put forward to the council's Environment and Community Committee for further discussion, and to forge a pathway forward.
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