Site of Riuwaka River drowning blessed by iwi and rāhui lifted

Monday, 4 November 2019

The scene of a drowning in a Nelson river has been blessed by local iwi and a temporary ban on public use has been lifted.

Police have yet to release details of the incident or the man who died after getting into trouble swimming in the Riuwaka River around 5.40pm on Sunday. The death has been referred to the coroner.

It is believed the man was swimming in the Crystal Pool, near the Riuwaka Resurgence where the north branch of the Riuwaka River emerges from the cave-riddled marble of Takaka Hill.

The short bush walk to the resurgence is popular with visitors. Known as Te Puna o Riuwaka by local iwi Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua, the resurgence is considered wāhi tapu (sacred). 

**READ MORE:

* Man drowns in Nelson river**

Traditionally Māori would not eat or swim at the site, but visitors have been known to take the plunge into the pools, particularly the Crystal Pool downstream from the resurgence itself.

The water in the river is bitingly cold, around 10°C year round. 

Iwi imposed a temporary ban or rāhui from the time of the drowning, prohibiting public use of the area.

However, kaumatua Barney Thomas said a blessing had been conducted at the site on Monday morning and the rāhui had been lifted.

St John South Island region communications advisor Gerard Campbell said a helicopter and an ambulance was dispatched from Nelson to the incident, while Fire and Emergency and a PRIME doctor also attended.