Curbs on ashes totally wrong

My contention is that the scattering of ashes in a public place has been carried out for centuries. PHOTO/FILE

I HAVE noted a recent story on the problems with scattering your ashes on Mt Egmont/Taranaki.

Perhaps "scattering" is the wrong word -- more like a grey dumping -- and it has drawn the ire of the Department of Conservation and local iwi.

I can understand that a visible accumulation of human ashes is not everyone's cup of tea when walking in a national park. I would like to think that if I did scatter the ashes of a loved one, it would be a pretty decent spread, to really emphasise the concept of being given back to the elements. A soggy grey pile doesn't match that image, and concentrated amounts of ash are toxic to plants.

However, I am less forgiving about iwi or the Department of Conservation applying restrictions on scattering of ashes in our native wilderness, because it clashes with cultural values of iwi.

That's going too far. I agree discretion with ashes is a good thing.

And there are some real reasons why ashes should not be scattered in certain locations, like Wellington's rose garden, because too many dumpings were harmful to the roses.

But my grandfather's ashes are scattered on Mt Victoria in Wellington, a move that could possibly be culturally offensive to iwi, and, according to the council website, not suitable. In fact, in Wellington there's only one public place available to scatter ashes, although others can be considered in consultation with iwi and council. They do make allowances for areas that don't have much foot traffic.

My contention is that the scattering of ashes in a public place has been carried out for centuries. Done discreetly, respectfully (and tidily), it's a rite that belongs to everyone, especially those who have lived and died in their own country.

Ash and dust is everywhere in the world, due to volcanic activity. Scattered to the winds and elements, it's not poisonous. Cultural offence is a real thing, when it's in your face.

But it should be no concern of anyone to disperse a person to the point of invisibility, giving them back to a wilderness and a country that is special to them and you.