Scattered ashes cause coastal fishing ban

"You don't scatter ashes where people gather kai, you go offshore."

Tina Mason

The ‘‘unheard of’’ scattering of ashes near a boat ramp in coastal Taranaki has caused upset to locals and a ban on collecting kaimoana.

Following Christmas, ashes were scattered by a wha¯ nau near the boat ramp at Bayly Rd, just past Warea.

Parihaka Papaka¯inga Trust chairperson Tina Mason said spreading ashes ‘‘around our kai area’’ was unheard of.

‘‘You don’t scatter ashes where people gather kai, you go offshore.’’

A ra¯ hui, or ban, on collecting kaimoana and onshore fishing has since been put in place until further notice.

The ban covers and is inclusive of the coastline from Stent Rd to Tipoka Rd.

Mason said a ra¯ hui was usually put in place when someone was lost at sea.

‘‘This is unheard of.’’

She said concern was felt among the community for people who fished or gathered shellfish along the coastline before the ra¯ hui was imposed.

‘‘At this time of the year, with many wha¯nau coming together, many have gathered kaimoana with no knowledge of the scattering of the ashes, causing considerable distress and anxiety.’’

Mason said neither the trust nor mana whenua were informed prior to the act taking place.

But word had quickly spread after the wha¯ nau posted to social media notifying the ashes had been scattered.

They were very apologetic for their actions, she said.

A lot of learning had come from the incident including protocols around spreading ashes and formal prior notification of such activities.

‘‘We as the Parihaka Papaka¯ inga Trust consider it our responsibility as the governing body of Parihaka to ensure that thorough notification is applied to protect our people and keep everyone safe.’’

Signs had been erected at popular fishing spots within the affected area informing people of the ra¯ hui, and the Ministry of Primary Industries would be informed.