White Island aerial view after the volcanic eruption on December 9. Photo / George Novak
The maritime exclusion zone at Whakaari/White Island will be removed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster Peter Buell at 6pm tomorrow.
However the Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa advises the rāhui (temporary ritual prohibition) placed over the Ngāti Awa customary coastal marine area for fishing and gathering kai moana (seafood)
remains in place until further notice.
A total rāhui (gathering kai moana, fishing and maritime activities) was applied by Ngāti Awa kaumātua last week out of respect for those who perished in last Monday's Whakaari tragedy, and those who were unaccounted for and could be in the ocean.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa chair and Ngāti Awa cultural expert Dr Hohepa Mason says because two victims are still unaccounted for and are possibly in the ocean the rāhui on fishing and gathering kai moana remains.
"Out of continued respect for those yet to be returned to their loved ones, and the cultural implications around the likely presence of tūpāpaku (deceased) in the moana (ocean), the Ngāti Awa rāhui in our rohe (Ngāti Awa tribal boundary) on collecting kai moana and fishing will remain in place until further notice".
