Lake Taupo not a place for ashes

‘‘The notion of human remains being scattered over our lake is akin to the scattering of ashes over someone's dinner plate.’’ Topia Rameka.

Concerns have been raised by fishermen and local iwi about the amount of human ashes being spread in popular fishing spots in Lake Taupo.

Harvey Karaitiana wrote to the Taupo Times recently after witnessing someone scatter ashes into the water.

‘‘Wouldn’t it be nice if people found a more suitable way of disposing of their dead, than spreading their loved ones ashes over and into the waters of Lake Taupo,’’ Karaitiana wrote.

‘‘The waters of Lake Taupo, is regarded as a taonga, by our people and needs to be treated with respect and free of any deliberate form of contamination.’’

Dominic Bowden, strategic relationships manager for Taupo District Council, said there are no council rules or regulations when it comes to scattering ashes into Lake Taupo but permission must be sought by the land owner - in this case, Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Topia Rameka, chief executive of Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, said the scattering of human ashes is prohibited on Taupo waters.

‘‘Our water bodies are a life force of their own and are noa (common). The remains of a human who has passed on are clearly tapu or sacred and these two things cannot mix,’’ he said.

‘‘Furthermore, our water bodies are a source of food - trout, koura, watercress - and the notion of human remains being scattered over our lake is akin to the scattering of ashes over someone’s dinner plate.

‘‘Whilst we acknowledge the view of some members of the community to have their ashes scattered, we ask that they take into consideration the aspects above and refrain from doing so and look to alternative sites to carry out this practice.’’

Barry McIntosh from Taupo Funeral Services says they don’t give advice when it comes to scattering ashes.

‘‘The law states we can scatter ashes anywhere we like to but when it comes to Lake Taupo it’s cultural sensitivity we bring into it.’’

McIntosh added there are burial plots for ashes in the cemetery but most people already know where the ashes are going.