PIG remains in the river saw the closure of the Mangaokewa Reserve last week.
MANGAOKEWA Reserve in Te Kūiti was closed this week while a pig carcass could be removed from where it was dumped in the river and the awa blessed. The reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation, and Maniapoto District operations manager Graham Kimber described the dumping of the animal at the weekend as disrespectful. “It appears to have been thrown into the river, after being dragged across the reserve, which we consider a health and safety risk and culturally disrespectful. “It’s in a shallow part of the river so we totally agree there’s a risk to visitors. An inspection of the animal suggests it has been dead for at least several days. “The gate was closed by a member of the local iwi on Saturday morning to restrict access and ensure a clean-up could occur out of the public gaze.” Removing the carcass proved to be “less than straightforward” due to its condition, Graham said, but a karakia was said at the reserve on Monday with a view to reopening it on Tuesday with the support of Ngati Rora. “We would again urge the community to respect this reserve and treat it with more care and consideration.” Overnight camping at the reserve was banned last month in an attempt to mitigate littering and damage to the wahi tapu, which Ngati Rora caretakers believed happened mostly under the cover of darkness (King Country News, September 8, 2022). The gate to Mangaokewa has been locked every night since.
