A central North Island iwi says it has invoked a rahui on a popular conservation park to protect its community from Covid-19.
Ngāti Whare, an iwi in south-west Te Urewera, invoked the rahui on Whirinaki Te Pua A Tane Conservation Park from December 17 until January 31.
In a social media post, the iwi said it had a proud record of welcoming visitors to Whirinaki Te Pua A Tane but had reluctantly taken this measure as a way of protecting its community in Te Whaiti, Minginui and Ngaputahi from Covid-19 by reducing the number of visitors with whom community members could come into contact.
"Compliance with this rahui is a matter of respect for our perspectives and cultural practices as kaitiaki of Whirinaki Te Pua a Tāne.