Man who died after jumping into Ōhiwa Harbour was Hikato Maaka of Whakatāne, police say

A cultural rāhui put in place at Ōhiwa Harbour in Ōhope has been lifted after a body was found. Photo / Andrew Warner

The man who died after jumping into Ōhiwa Harbour on Christmas Day has been named by police as Hikato Maaka.

A police spokesman confirmed today it was the Whakatāne 41-year-old’s body which was found overnight on Saturday at a beach in Ōhope, Bay of Plenty.

Police have said he was evading arrest at the time he jumped into the water, but a family member has disputed this.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

Police previously said officers were called to a family harm-related incident involving a 42-year-old man on Wednesday about 6pm.

When authorities arrived, he “ran away and jumped into the harbour” and swam out into the water.

A family member told NZME the man was under arrest but was briefly released so he could “retrieve his fishing net”.

It comes after changes to rāhui – temporary cultural restrictions – for Ōhiwa Harbour.

A cultural rāhui placed over Ōhiwa Harbour by iwi Ngāti Awa after the man went missing in the water was lifted on Monday.

A Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Facebook post shared by Whakatāne District Council confirmed the Ōhiwa Harbour rāhui was lifted on Monday at 7am.

“Ngāti Awa acknowledges with heavy hearts the recovery of the body of the individual who tragically drowned in the Ōhiwa harbour,” the post said.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences remain with the grieving whānau as they begin their journey of healing and remembrance.

“We extend our gratitude to the community for respecting the rāhui and the cultural protocols during this time.”

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa acknowledged the police and supporting personnel for their “tireless efforts and dedication” in ensuring the recovery of the dead man.

“Their commitment has provided closure for the whānau and brought comfort to the community during this challenging time.

“We once again offer our aroha and support to the bereaved whānau and wish them peace and strength in the days ahead.”

Another tribal group, meanwhile, has extended a rāhui across the entirety of Ōhiwa Harbour until January 12 to “protect the dignity of the deceased”.

On Te Ūpokorehe’s Facebook page, kaumātua Wallace Aramoana said the extended rāhui would allow for respectful processes in accordance with the tikanga of te iwi o Te Ūpokorehe.

During this time, there would be “no fishing and no gathering of shellfish/seafood or other activities in the rāhui area”, the post said.

What are rāhui

Te Aka Māori Dictionary defines rāhui as putting in place a temporary ritual prohibition, closed season, ban or reserve.

“Traditionally a rāhui was placed on an area, resource or stretch of water as a conservation measure or as a means of social and political control for a variety of reasons, which can be grouped into three main categories: pollution by tapu, conservation and politics.

“Death pollutes land, water and people through tapu. A rāhui is a device for separating people from tapu things. After an agreed lapse of time, the rāhui is lifted. A rāhui is marked by a visible sign, such as the erection of a pou rāhui, a post. It is initiated by someone of rank and placed and lifted with appropriate karakia by a tohunga.”