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Hapu of Ngati Wai plan to put up pouwhenua on their beaches to protest government plans to increase the range of marine reserves.
Spokesperson Carmen Heteraka says they fear the proposed Marine Protected Areas Bill gives far too much control to government agencies, ignoring the interests of tangata whenua who are pushing for co-governance of areas like Mimiwhangata.
"Our tohunga the late Haupeke Piripi declared Mimiwhangata a rahui tapu in 2002, which means the mana whenua, Te Uri O Hekeheke, Te Whanu Whero, Te Akitai and Ngati Wai from Cape Brett to Great barrier, we would decide when to put the rahui on and when it would be lifted," he says.
Mr Heteraka says the pou were to have gone up this weekend, but the ceremony has been delayed so more people can return to the rohe to take part.
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