You're right. But break the rahui knowingly I'd probably get my head smacked in...and they would get away with beating me too I'd guess - in this 'justice' system of ours.
Matua - you missed out the roads or bridges if some-one dies, say through a car accident. Would a rahui be placed on the Harbour Bridge or S.H. 1 coming into Auckland say? Doesn't this just show the hypocrasy of this so called "custom"? I believe all it is is a continuous creep into our nation and should be totally ignored. I mean are they going to have some-one standing all around the Tasman harbour front to ensure it is carried out? Absolutely stupid idea.
That’s true, Michele. I could have gone on at length about rāhui being slapped on just about every place where someone dies, but I didn’t want to bore everyone haha.
If someone has passed and their body is recovered from the water, it’s devastating for the family, no doubt. If I were the one who had died, the last thing I’d want is to stop people from fishing or gathering seafood. Fishing is my absolute favourite pastime, I live for it, and I would hate it if a rāhui was put on the waters around where I ended up.
Totally agree with you. Was just trying to bring to the fore how ridiculous the whole thing is. Imagine trying to close down the Harbour Bridge for a few days, or even one, but they splash however many days on water rahuis. In this day and age - ridiculous.
I particularly like your point about Rāhui where a child has been murdered, this ridiculous habit of calling for a Rāhui and pretending it is unlawful to break is a further indication of Maori over reach.
During times of prehistoric mysticism, not going where the problems that appeared to kill someone would make a lot of sense, especially to prevent being dined upon by a taniwha.
The whole concept of Rahui is pure animistic bullshit. Maori sacralise sites because they believe in crap like evil spirits. The same way you are told ‘not to eat’ at Cape Reinga lighthouse cos spirits jump off there. Huh? WTAF?
Unless it is DOC enforced (I think they played game on occasion and that is legally enforceable ???) then I just ignore them. The kids & I ate our lunch happily at the base of the lighthouse, enjoying the view. Woke media publicise their ‘Rahui’ as if they were a decree from on high. Kiwis need to say enough of this spiritualist crap. No more Rahui, no Karakia and no stupid fucking ‘blessings’, all completely pointless. I sneeze at their tapu gods
As I understand a rāhui was declared after some one died in the water. As it was explained to me this was to prevent fish being caught that had possibly eaten part of the deceased body.
Some people say that’s what a rāhui is for, but the reality is it isn’t law. If someone wants to go fishing and take that risk, they should have every right to do so. A rāhui often goes much further than just stopping people from gathering seafood, in many cases it even restricts people from swimming in the area, and sometimes those bans stretch along entire coastlines. Personally, I’m happy to take those risks, and no one is going to stop me from casting a line and getting my rod wet.
Whats the difference if a rahui isnt placed or is it only placed on areas where iwi decide to limit seafood collection as its never placed where maori babies are murdered
Indeed! Leave those things to those who believe in them, that's fine with me!
Meanwhile our coastlines' rock pools and beaches are stripped of all marine life by hordes of people (mainly migrants) using buckets, chisels and even piano wire to collect shellfish, crabs, starfish, limpets, and anemones etc, causing extensive and irreversible damage to coastal ecosystems.. How about something being done about that?
I have expressed for absolutely no Māori bullshit on my death and definitely no rāhui if it’s water related. I would rather people were out enjoying themselves if they wish to…
On point again Matua. I used to have respect for rahui but because I now have Māori culture
fatigue it’s hard to imagine me following it again.
II don’t mind if people choose to ‘respect’ a rāhui, that’s their choice - but no one is going to stop me from getting my rod wet!
I love the way you expose ludicrous sanctions.
What happens if someone breaks it?
Most likely violence, that tends to be the Māori way.
Absolutely maori always resirt to violence when things dont go their way
Tyres slashed? Windscreen smashed?
I’d reckon they’d throw a few strikes at anyone who ignored the rāhui.
You're right. But break the rahui knowingly I'd probably get my head smacked in...and they would get away with beating me too I'd guess - in this 'justice' system of ours.
The offender would likely be sent to the local iwi for a hui, where they would probably walk away with a petrol voucher and a box of kai.
Ex-bloody-actly! So mental.
🤣
Matua - you missed out the roads or bridges if some-one dies, say through a car accident. Would a rahui be placed on the Harbour Bridge or S.H. 1 coming into Auckland say? Doesn't this just show the hypocrasy of this so called "custom"? I believe all it is is a continuous creep into our nation and should be totally ignored. I mean are they going to have some-one standing all around the Tasman harbour front to ensure it is carried out? Absolutely stupid idea.
That’s true, Michele. I could have gone on at length about rāhui being slapped on just about every place where someone dies, but I didn’t want to bore everyone haha.
If someone has passed and their body is recovered from the water, it’s devastating for the family, no doubt. If I were the one who had died, the last thing I’d want is to stop people from fishing or gathering seafood. Fishing is my absolute favourite pastime, I live for it, and I would hate it if a rāhui was put on the waters around where I ended up.
Totally agree with you. Was just trying to bring to the fore how ridiculous the whole thing is. Imagine trying to close down the Harbour Bridge for a few days, or even one, but they splash however many days on water rahuis. In this day and age - ridiculous.
I particularly like your point about Rāhui where a child has been murdered, this ridiculous habit of calling for a Rāhui and pretending it is unlawful to break is a further indication of Maori over reach.
During times of prehistoric mysticism, not going where the problems that appeared to kill someone would make a lot of sense, especially to prevent being dined upon by a taniwha.
These days are different.
Haha!
The whole concept of Rahui is pure animistic bullshit. Maori sacralise sites because they believe in crap like evil spirits. The same way you are told ‘not to eat’ at Cape Reinga lighthouse cos spirits jump off there. Huh? WTAF?
Unless it is DOC enforced (I think they played game on occasion and that is legally enforceable ???) then I just ignore them. The kids & I ate our lunch happily at the base of the lighthouse, enjoying the view. Woke media publicise their ‘Rahui’ as if they were a decree from on high. Kiwis need to say enough of this spiritualist crap. No more Rahui, no Karakia and no stupid fucking ‘blessings’, all completely pointless. I sneeze at their tapu gods
Good on you for eating your lunch at the base of the lighthouse. Next time I am at Cape Reinga, I might treat myself to a nice meal.
As I understand a rāhui was declared after some one died in the water. As it was explained to me this was to prevent fish being caught that had possibly eaten part of the deceased body.
Some people say that’s what a rāhui is for, but the reality is it isn’t law. If someone wants to go fishing and take that risk, they should have every right to do so. A rāhui often goes much further than just stopping people from gathering seafood, in many cases it even restricts people from swimming in the area, and sometimes those bans stretch along entire coastlines. Personally, I’m happy to take those risks, and no one is going to stop me from casting a line and getting my rod wet.
Whats the difference if a rahui isnt placed or is it only placed on areas where iwi decide to limit seafood collection as its never placed where maori babies are murdered
Exactly!
Indeed! Leave those things to those who believe in them, that's fine with me!
Meanwhile our coastlines' rock pools and beaches are stripped of all marine life by hordes of people (mainly migrants) using buckets, chisels and even piano wire to collect shellfish, crabs, starfish, limpets, and anemones etc, causing extensive and irreversible damage to coastal ecosystems.. How about something being done about that?
The marine life being stripped off the rocks on beaches around the Hibiscus Coast is getting really bad. It makes me furious.
Yes, not only there but other places too, like Muriwai, Northland and it's happening all along our East and West coasts!
I have expressed for absolutely no Māori bullshit on my death and definitely no rāhui if it’s water related. I would rather people were out enjoying themselves if they wish to…
If my body was pulled from the water, I would want my mates to go out fishing the next day in my memory.
It’s cultural imperialism by proxy
Yep, it's creeping into almost everything these days.