Kaitiaki of the Opihi Whanaungakore urupa, Rapata Kopae, said urupa trustees were considering how to stop the development including court action, a public information campaign or occupation of the land. Ancient traditions were still upheld at the urupa including bodies being ferried across the river to the site and gravediggers being naked in accordance with ancient rites. The ancient Opihi Whanaungakore urupa is still used today. Whakatāne overlooking the ancient coastal urupa Opihi Whanaungakore in background . It is where some of the original founders of Whakatāne including the captain of the waka, Toroa, his daughter, Wairaka, and grandmother Muriwai are buried.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 11, 2021 20:26 UTC