May 16, 2016
Taranaki tohunga to advise on tupapaku inquiry
Parliament's Maori affairs committee is heading for Taranaki this week continue its inquiry into whanau access to and management of tupapaku.
Green MP Marama Davidson says it's keen to talk to people like Auntie Maata Wharehoka who helps people through the tikanga associated with traditional burial rituals.
She says it's an option increasing numbers of Maori are looking at, especially as the costs on mainstream practices continues to rise.
"People want to look at alternative tikanga and Maori tikanga, not having to always having to use caskets, looking at the use of embalming, looking at how our tikanga is upheld through dealing with coroners, hospitals, morgues, etc etc etc," Ms Davidson says.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com