More than 100 visitors were turned away while less than that number made their way to the popular Mermaid Pools in Matapouri despite a rāhui being in force.
But the local hapu has put the situation over the Easter long weekend down to unfamiliarity with Māori culture rather than a blatant disregard for the rāhui that was put in place last Friday.The Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu hapū put a rāhui in place over the popular pools at the northern headland of Matapouri and the access route over the Rangitapu headland to restore their environmental, cultural and spiritual wellbeing.
A ceremony took place at Matapouri Beach at 5am on Friday to bless and dedicate a carved pou before those present went to the local marae to conclude the formalities.
Rāhui a form of taboo restricting access to, or use of, an area or resource by the kaitiakitanga or guardians of the area.
Sandra Hawken, a trustee of the hapū, said between 40 and 50 people were spoken to upon their return from the pools on Friday while about 150 people were turned away the next day.