Listen Now: 
The whereabouts of Hone Heke’s bones is again shrouded in mystery, after their temporary custodian brought forward their reburial.
David Rankin removed the bones of the 19th century Ngapuhi warrior chief from a cave near Pakaraka two years ago, claiming they were being threatened by a nearby housing development.
He had announced they would be reburied on Putahi maunga near Kaikohe.
But now the Auckland man says he reburied them yesterday morning in another cave, next to the bones of one of Heke’s ancestors, with the location to remain a secret.
Mr Rankin says he was concerned a group of activists was planning to disrupt the scheduled ceremony and possibly steal the bones.
He says the risk was too great and he could not let a few glory-seekers hijack the day and cause widespread embarrassment to Ngapuhi.
Sonny Tau from Te Runanga o Ngapuhi says he’s disappointed Ngapuhi did not have a chance to have a say in the matter, as had been planned, but he’s glad Hone Heke can now rest in peace.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
