Explainer: The practice of Rāhui

Rāhui is a collaboration between the Council and mana whenua. We are all responsible for the protection of our environments to ensure the safety of everyone, and mana whenua have allowed the Council to adopt this practice of rāhui. 

What is a rāhui? 

A Rāhui is when a temporary restriction of use and the harvesting of resources is placed across a specific area.

Rāhui placed by Te Āti Awa in our city are not permanent and can be used for water and land. 

Rāhui are typically put in place for three reasons: 

1. A Rāhui for protecting natural resources if they are under threat 
2. A Rāhui following a death protects us from the tapu that results from a mate (death)
3. If an area is compromised due to chemical or environmental contamination.  

Why are Rāhui established? 

Māori have a spiritual, intricate, holistic and interconnected relationship with the natural world and its resources.  

Māori see themselves as part of ecosystems rather than separated from them and believe they have a responsibility as kaitiaki (guardians) of the land, to sustain the mauri (life force) of eco-systems and ensure they are there for future generations. 

Rāhui are used when natural resources are threatened so that restrictions allow time for the ecosystem to replenish itself.  

From a Māori world view, the origin of the universe can be traced through whakapapa (genealogy) which places Māori as direct descendants of the natural elements. As death has an element of tapu in te ao Māori, a Rāhui is placed on an area where a death has occurred, such as in event of a drowning.  

Rāhui allows for tapu associated with the death(s) to dissipate from a physical area through the cleansing by the natural elements. 

What should I do during a Rāhui? 

Follow the instructions of the Rāhui in place. This may include not harvesting food from that particular area, not swimming in a body of water or entering a particular area/site.  

Rāhui are always marked with a visible sign and is always a temporary restriction. Again, the Rāhui is always initiated by someone of rank and placed and lifted with appropriate karakia by a tohunga (expert), in our case by mana whenua of the Wellington region.