alternative land settlement scheme. For Rata, the scheme had a strong Māori spiritual dimension: "For some time now I have been concerned with the needs of that section of society that has worked so hard to gain social, economic and cultural integrity while trying to maintain spiritual and cultural strength and self-respect. I refer of course, to the Māori section of our society". (Matiu Rata to the Ohu Working Party, August 1974). Additional points Over 30 sites were approved by the government for the establishment of ohu. Many of these sites were reportedly of poor quality and very remote. About eight communities were originally established, Sunburst Ohu, near Whitianga, Coromandel, was the first to be approved in August 1974. The longest lasting of the Ohu communities was Ahu Ahu ohu, which ceased in about 2000. When the Ahu Ahu ohu was first founded access required crossing the river and a walk in of nearly an hour. The former community is now a point of interest for tramping. Although the National government had voiced support for the scheme prior to the election, when it came into power in 1975 it wound up the Ohu advisory committee and eventually did away with the scheme altogether. References External links Ohu: utopias in a paradise lost? Māori culture