A respect and dignity bylaw has been passed in Gisborne banning the culturally abhorrent practice of sending mortuary waste to sea.
Kiwa group chairman Ian Ruru said it was a big day on Wednesday both for water reforms and Te Mana o te Wai.
Photo: LDR / The Gisborne Herald / Rebecca Grunwell
Ian Ruru, who leads the Kiwa group set up to provide cultural advice and technical support to the district council, said it was a big day for water reforms and Te Mana o te Wai - the health and wellbeing of water. It s official, our respect and dignity bylaw was passed, Ruru said.
Council cemetery activities would continue as normal this week, but Sutherland asked that any non-urgent enquiries waited until next week. She said the cost of repairs and damages was unknown at this stage and council’s priority was to support families through the process. Gisborne Police were still investigating the circumstances of the single-vehicle crash on Nelson Road, Makauri, just after 6.30pm on Tuesday. The vehicle left the road and rolled before coming to a stop in the cemetery. The driver and sole occupant suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. “We appreciate that hearing this news will cause distress for those who have whānau buried at this cemetery, and we have been in contact with GDC in relation to this damage, Tairāwhiti area commander, Inspector Sam Aberahama said.
Gisborne Council is seeking all whānau affected by a car crash that has significantly damaged a number of headstones.
The sites affected were on the first three rows of block 30 at Taruheru Cemetery.
Photo: Google Maps
Police said the vehicle rolled off a road before coming to a stop in Taruheru Cemetery yesterday.
The driver received minor injuries and was taken to hospital, police said.
Up to 60 graves suffered only minor damage, but four are irreparable.
The sites affected were on the first three rows of block 30 - ranging from the 1970s and 80s, with some including children, a council spokesperson said.
“The vehicle left the road and rolled before coming to a stop in Taruheru Cemetery. The sole occupant of the vehicle received minor injuries and was taken by private vehicle to hospital for treatment,” Aberahama said. “We appreciate that hearing this news will cause distress for those who have whānau buried at this cemetery, and we have been in contact with the Gisborne District Council tonight in relation to this damage.”
Do you know more? Email newstips@stuff.co.nz A Kaumātua will be at the cemetery on Wednesday morning to bless the site. Aberahama said police would provide any assistance required by the GDC in the coming days and inquiries into the cause of the crash were ongoing.
A Kaumatua will bless a Gisborne cemetery this morning after a car crash caused damage to headstones 12 May 2021
A driver received minor injuries after a vehicle rolled and came to a stop in Taruheru Cemetery in Makauri last night.
Police say a significant number of headstones near the road were damaged and understand this will be distressing to whanau.
Gisborne District Council is identifying which ones are affected and will be contacting family members.