Sea between the posts off limits to harvesters

BLESSING: Cristo Murray of Ahipara was one of more than 50 members of Te Rarawa who attended a 3am karakia whakapuare at the pouwhenua last month.

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Supporters of seafood harvesting restrictions – a rahui – on paua at Ahipara have erected carved posts or pouwhenua at each end of Otia Bay, south of Tauroa Point, to mark an area where harvesting of seafood is banned this summer.

Hapu, who hold customary guardianship over the Ahipara-Taitea area, say the restriction is needed at the bay because over harvesting of seafood or kaimoana has depleted paua stocks.

Hapu spokesman Rueben Porter says not taking shellfish from the sea between the carved posts will allow breeding species to spawn with uninterrupted cycles and re-populate the coastline.

Members of the hapu, who descend from Tumoana of the Tinana waka, will monitor the rahui during the summer, he says.

They will happily explain to visitors to the bay their reasons for reviving the ancient conservation practice.

"Educating the public about these customary practices is an excellent method of nurturing the multi-cultural society that exists in the Far North," says Mr Porter.

Organisers and supporters of the initiative are: The elders of Roma, Korou Kore, Wainui and Te Rarawa marae, Tauroa Takutaimoana Committee, Te Kohanga Land Trust, Te Kohanga Action Group, carver Te Aroha Te Paa, the sub-tribes of Ahipara, Te Rarawa Runanga, the Fisheries Ministry and the Conservation Department.

- © Fairfax NZ News