Statement from Ngāi Te Rangi Chairs

Tērā te marama
Ka mahuta i te pae, ko taku tau pea e
Tēnei ka ora mai, hoki mai e koro e
Kia tirohia iho, tō mataraunui

In the wake of the devastating Mauao and Pāpāmoa landslides, Ngāi Te Rangi wraps its aroha around the whānau who have lost loved ones, and those who are still waiting to be reunited with them. Our hearts are with you. We acknowledge the depth of your mamae and hold you in our thoughts and karakia.

We acknowledge and thank Mauao Kaitiaki, NZ Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, NEMA, and all emergency response teams for the care, professionalism, and dedication they are showing throughout the recovery process. Their mahi is being carried out with dignity and respect, and we ask that they are supported by being given the space to continue this important work.

For now, our collective whakaaro remains with the whānau — allowing space for grief, for waiting, and for healing to unfold in its own time.

There will be time for further kōrero when hearts are steadier. Today, we simply hold whānau close and honour those who have been lost.

Waihō ake mātou i muri nei, te tangihia i ngā mate o te wā.

Ko te manawa ū kia rere,

Charlie Tawhiao/Maru Samuels

Ngā Tiamana o Ngāi Te Rangi (Ngāi Te Rangi Chairs)