Key Takeaways
- A rāhui has been placed over The Blueys at Te Puia in Rotorua after a man died in the area
- The rāhui means the area is closed and cannot be accessed until it is lifted by local iwi
- The death is a tragedy and has caused distress among those who knew the man
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of swimming in natural hot pools in the area
- There have been several deaths in recent years related to hot pools in the Rotorua area
Introduction to the Incident
A rāhui has been placed over The Blueys at Te Puia in Rotorua after a man died in the area. The rāhui was placed at 9am this morning by Te Paepae o Te Pākira until further notice. Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar confirmed the rāhui, which means the area is closed and cannot be accessed until it is lifted by local iwi. Tūhourangi kaumātua Ngarepo Eparaima, who received a phone call on Sunday night about the incident, described the death as a tragedy and said those who knew the man were "distraught".
The Rāhui and Its Significance
Eparaima performed karakia (prayers) over the man’s body before he was taken away in a hearse. About 60 local iwi, kaumātua, kuia, Te Puia staff, and members of the man’s whānau returned to the site at 9am today, where the rāhui was placed. The rāhui is a customary practice that is used to restrict access to an area, in this case, The Blueys, until the rāhui is lifted. Eparaima said it was not yet known how long the rāhui would be in place, but it would be lifted in conjunction with staff of Te Puia and the neighboring Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, as well as Whakarewarewa locals, to ensure "everyone is on the same page".
Concerns About Swimming in The Blueys
Eparaima said that while the man who died was known to the area, people swimming at The Blueys had been a concern for years. He explained that for the local people, The Blueys is a legacy, and swimming in the area was done by their kuia and kaumātua well before. However, some of the rangatahi (youth) bring their friends, who bring their friends, and suddenly people start coming in on their own, seeing photos of it on social media and thinking it is a free-for-all. This has raised concerns about the safety of swimming in the area, particularly for outsiders who may not be aware of the cultural significance and potential dangers of the thermal water.
Previous Incidents and Controversies
Te Puia came under fire in 2022 after allowing tourists to swim in The Blueys. Local iwi said at the time that the thermal water was regarded as a sacred taonga and off-limits to outsiders. Te Puia acknowledged it had begun letting visitors swim in The Blueys as a special offering after the pandemic, but it stopped the practice once international visitors returned. There have been several deaths in recent years related to hot pools in the Rotorua area, including the death of a local mother, Briar Stockley, who died after being pulled unresponsive from the water near the Waiotapu geothermal area in December 2022.
Response from Local Authorities and Communities
Tanya Robinson, Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village general manager, said: "All of our thoughts are with the whānau and the whole team at Te Puia". The incident has sparked concern among local communities about the potential dangers of people ignoring warnings and continuing to soak in natural hot pools at Sulphur Point. Kelly Makiha, a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, has covered several stories related to hot pool deaths in the area, including the death of James Taikato, who was found dead in November 2020. A coroner ruled Taikato’s death was caused by accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning.
Conclusion and Future Actions
The rāhui over The Blueys is a significant event that highlights the importance of respecting cultural protocols and safety guidelines when interacting with natural hot pools. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of swimming in the area and the need for education and awareness about the potential dangers of hot pools. Local authorities and communities will need to work together to ensure that the rāhui is lifted in a way that respects the cultural significance of the area and prioritizes the safety of visitors and locals alike.