Maori elders bless double murder site

Maori elders gathered under the Wairoa River bridge this morning to bless the site where a Tauranga couple were slain early Monday morning.

Members of Ngati Kahu -- a hapu that includes Te Puna and the Wairoa River area -- stood metres from the victims' car that still remains at the crime scene.

They sang prayers and tipped water taken from the river around the Nissan Skyline.

Ngati Kahu member Mabel Whaiapu said there was a tapu, or curse, on the area since the two bodies were discovered by passing kayakers at 7am Monday.

"We are blessing it to open the area up again. This was our inspiration point -- we use it for picnics and swims."

The area is now under a rahui (quarantine) and the Wairoa River from its source at McClaren's Falls to the mouth in Tauranga Harbour is now prohibited from any recreational use for two weeks.

None of the Ngati kahu community at the blessing this morning had met the couple, but Kaumatua and Minister Kotene Pihema said they were children of God.

"We needed to remove the evil spirits and to put two people at peace with God."

Mr Pihema said he was very disappointed with the media reports of the area being used for drug activities.

"I was very upset. This area has always been a safe place for our children."

Crime scene investigators expect to finish their examinations at the site today.

- NZPA