January 15, 2015
Rahui for missing diver
Far north iwi Ngati Kahu has extended its rahui on fishing or collecting seafood along the Doubtless Bay coast for a month because a missing diver has yet to be found.
Rangi Tapu, 25, of Auckland, failed to surface while diving for kina at Cable Bay a week ago.
Runanga chief executive Anahera Herbert-Graves says under Ngati Kahu tikanga there is a two-week rahui if a body was found in the first week after a drowning, extended to a month if it is not found.
The official search for the body ended last week, but members of Mr Tapu’s family are continuing a beachside vigil.
Mrs Herbert-Graves said most people had treated the rahui with respect and understanding, but some continued to fish.
The rahui from Mangonui to Taipa covered diving and fishing for kaimoana, but not swimming or boating.
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