Far North iwi Ngāti Kuri is calling for the public to stop spreading the ashes of loved ones at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) saying it’s culturally inappropriate, and spiritually and physically unsafe.
The iwi, that manages the culturally significant site, took to social media to inform people that Te Rerenga Wairua is not a cemetery it’s a place for the living and “the many taonga we have there”.
It said the practice is increasingly getting worse and that it’s not just overseas visitors, but members of the New Zealand public, including Māori, who travel to the popular tourist spot too. The iwi is urging everyone to respect its tikanga.
“Te Rerenga Wairua is a place for wairua to leave and for us the living to sit in the presence of our taiao and remember them. Again, it's not an urupā - cemetery.
“We also don’t spread ashes in our wai - ocean and fresh waterways. Or in places where we work, live, gather kai, harvest for weaving and rongoā, etc.
“This is our workplace, our home, and we also have many that visit Te Rerenga Wairua so it would be absolutely not appropriate to spread the human remains of your loved ones in our backyard.”
To scatter ashes at a public site, you need to seek permission from local council. For private land, you must seek permission from the landowner.
Some areas council may prohibit the scattering of ashes include the sea or waterway, areas of cultural or heritage significance, and public areas that are used by a lot of people.
Glossary
Te Rerenga Wairua – Cape Reinga
taonga – treasure, anything prized
tikanga – custom, protocol
wairua – spirit, soul
taiao – environment
urupā – cemetery
wai – water
kai – food
rongoā – medicine, remedy
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