Community adviser, Barney Tupara, suggests rahui for road fatalities

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The use of rahui in the form of a reduced speed limit has been suggested in the aftermath of fatal road accidents.

Community adviser Barney Tupara made the suggestion yesterday to Gisborne District Council' s regional transport committee,

Raising the issue, Mr Tupara said he was speaking with his tangata whenu hat on, and on a matter of tikanga.

“We have rahui for those unfortunate to be lost at sea,” he said.

Speed limits could be temporarily reduced after a fatal accident, “particularly on East Coast roads”, but elsewhere as well.

Speed limits could be reduced for three or four days in acknowledgement of “what has occurred in that location”.

Mr Tupara suggested the rahui could be applied to a 100-metre stretch of road after the accident had taken place.

“I'm not saying we close the road.”

Mr Tupara said he would email the council's iwi engagement team to take the matter to hapu and iwi for further discussion.