Tongariro iwi, Ngāti Rangi and Uenuku have expressed their sadness at a fatality due to a medical emergency of a cyclist on the Ohakune Old Coach Road track over the weekend and acknowledged the incident with a rāhui.
The rāhui is supported by the Department of Conservation.
For the time of the rāhui, the track is considered tapu and should not be used.
This provides time for healing and recovery, both of the natural elements at place and for people; in particular, the grieving whānau.
To show respect, all bikers and walkers are requested to consider alternative tracks during the rāhui.
Local iwi will notify DOC when the rāhui has been lifted.
About rāhui
A rāhui (physical and spiritual protection mechanism) is a tool to manage human activity around a site where there has been loss of life. It sets a temporary prohibition around the rāhui area and limits access for that period. By placing a rāhui over the area it:
- acknowledges the death and is a way to express our sympathy to the whānau of the deceased;
- ensures that safety mechanisms are in place; and
- provides time for tapu (sacredness) to dissipate following the death.
