UPLIFT OF RAUTINI

After careful planning between Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri, Moriori Imi Settlement Trust and the Department of Conservation (DoC), the excavation of rongomoana 'Rautini' began on July 9.

Hūnau were invited to join us in Te One for karakī and shared breakfast before breaking the ground, and many joined us over the week to wash down bones and scrub the teeth of the whale. 

Rautini is now safely stowed in storage until the next stage in this kaupapa begins. A huge taumaha to all our hūnau who helped to make this uplift possible, whale expert whaea Rāmari Stewart and her team from the mainland for sharing their invaluable knowledge with us, and Tiriana Smith and the extended DoC hūnau who have been essential to the success of this kaupapa