February 28, 2022
Taranaki iwi lay down raukura for protest peace
Taranaki iwi leaders with support from the Kiingitanga held a ceremony at Wellington’s Pipitea Marae at dawn to lay down Te Kahu o Te Raukura – a cloak of aroha and peace over the Parliament grounds and their surrounding ancestral sites
Pipitea chair Kura Moeahu says as ahi kaa of the whenua, the role of the iwi is to provide protection to people and the environment in their takiwā.
Te Raukura contains the three feathers representing honour, peace, and goodwill – the same symbol used at Parihaka.
Mr Moeahu said the iwi acknowledge the hurt and upset of the protestors and also the effect on local residents and businesses.
This raruraru has gone on for too long and they urge the parties to find a way forward.