People power shifts power lines away from Putāruru stream, reserve stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Petition launched against South Waikato power line project stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The 80-year-old said kaumātua have long treated the area as sacred. “There are burial caves across the road from us and one of the poles is going to be within metres of them,” she said. “That whole area across the road from the marae was also a huge battle site. It’s very sacred.”
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The Pokaiwhenua Stream and surrounding area between Arapuni and Putāruru is sacred to local Maori. “Sixty years ago my father-in-law told all of us to never go across. The Mangakaretu whānau are aware of this and treat the area with deep respect.