will be informed about the placing of the rāhui. The imposing of rāhui by Māori iwi has no official legal standing, and penalties are not formally imposed upon anyone breaking a rāhui, but it is seen as culturally insensitive to do so. Notable rāhui Whakaari/White Island following 2019 volcanic eruption Following the volcanic eruption of Whakaari/White Island, in which 20 people were killed, a rāhui was placed on the island restricting access. It was reported that the rāhui was placed on the island following a ceremony which took place at the mouth of the Whakatane River at 4am on Tuesday 10 December 2019. The Buttle family, who have owned the island for over 80 years, asked that the rāhui be respected. The rāhui was lifted on Saturday 28 December. Mataharehare Pa site, Parnell, Auckland City A rāhui was placed on the site by Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei and Tainui elders in March 2021, shortly before construction work on a controversial National Erebus memorial was scheduled to start. This rāhui carries unusual significance given its application is deemed primarily a political act. References Further reading C. Barlow (1994). Tikanga Whakaaro: Key Concepts in Māori Culture. Reprint with corrections. First published 1991. Auckland:Oxford. Māori words and phrases Māori culture Māori society Māori religion Māori science