The couple, who are currently unlinked to existing Covid-19 cases, are isolating at home in Kaingaroa north of Kaitaia, and grateful to locals who are supporting them. But they are concerned about rumours and misinformation.
Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis told Ngāti Kahu he hoped the government would buy back the culturally significant whenua and landbank it for the iwi.
It was gifted to a doctor in return for the medical treatment of Ngāti Kahu. By customary right, the land was meant to be given back to the iwi when he left.