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Hone Heke’s bones ready for burial” – whanau member
Media Release
For Immediate Release
21
July 2013
“Hone Heke’s bones
ready for burial” – whanau member
The
bones of the legendary Ngapuhi chief, Hone Heke, are now
ready to be buried, says Ngapuhi kaumatua David Rankin, who
took his ancestor’s bones from their resting place near
Pakaraka two years because of sewerage seeping into the site
from nearby septic tanks.
“The carved casket has
been prepared, and the karakia have been said for the
remains of our ancestor. They have been wrapped in flax
and sealed in the casket, ready for their
burial.”
Mr Rankin has indicated that Hone
Heke’s bones will be buried at a sacred site near Kaikohe
on Saturday 31 August.
“Our goal is to ensure
that our ancestor’s remains will rest where they cannot
ever be disturbed again. This is the proper thing to do
according to our tiknga.”
There has been growing
controversy about the reburial, with individuals from other
tribes claiming that they should be
involved.
“Ngati Hine want to muscle their way
in,” says Mr Rankin, “but they are a different hapu
altogether and should worry about their own chiefs and leave
Heke to our whanau.”
Hundreds of people are
expected to attend the burial of Heke’s bones at the end
of
August.
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