Community remembers Manawatū River drowning victims with riverside ceremony

Wednesday, 5 January 2022

Mourners gather beside the Manawatū River to remember Mu Mu, 27, and Blae Ler Paw, 11, who both drowned there on December 29, 2021. First published January 6, 2022.

A cake placed into a river to float away alongside flowers was a mother’s last act for her daughter who drowned at a place where four people died within a week.

About 60 people gathered at Ahimate Beach alongside the Manawatū River in Palmerston North on Wednesday to remember Blae Ler Paw, 11, and Mu Mu, 27.

The pair drowned in the river seven days earlier after getting in trouble while swimming at the popular swim spot.

Mu Oh floats a cake into the ManawatÅ« River in memory of her daughter Blae Ler Paw, 11, who drowned in the river.

Blae Ler’s body was found on Friday and Mu Mu’s on Sunday night.

* Calls to close swimming beach after four drown in the Manawatū River

Mu Oh, left, the mother of Blae Ler Paw, is comforted by a supporter.

* Search continues for woman and child missing in Manawatū River

Pah Ku, Mu Mu, and 8-month-old Kaw Hser Ku. Mu Mu drowned in the Manawatū River in December 2021.

The pair both came to New Zealand as refugees from a camp in Thailand after fleeing Myanmar.

The river between the Ashhurst bridge at Ōpiki has been subject to a rāhui – a tikanga restricting access to, or use of, an area or resource – since they died.

No-one but search and rescues teams should enter the water until it is lifted.

Then Sein (left) and Mu Oh hold a photo of their child Blae Ler Paw, 11, who drowned in the Manawatū River.

Two other men, aged in their 30s and 40s, died after swimming in the river at Ahimate Beach on Sunday.

Wednesday’s ceremony began with people clutching flowers being led to the riverside while Jason Hina recited karakia.

Bible verses were read, prayers offered and songs sung before the flowers were placed in the beach.

People proceed across Ahimate Beach towards the ManawatÅ« River where Blae Ler Paw and Mu Mu drowned.

Some flowers, as well as a cake, were placed in the river.

Water and herbs were also placed at the river before more karakia were recited.

Mu Mu and Blae Ler’s funerals will take place on Thursday.

Community leader Cici Dwe said it was customary to hold ceremonies between three and seven days after someone died.

The families of Mu Mu and Blae Ler had said it was likely the last time they would be down at that place in the river.

“We wanted to come and say prayer to send them off before the funeral service,” Dwe said.

Jason Hina and Sergeant Andy Brooke stand beside a sign discouraging people from swimming in the ManawatÅ« River at Ahimate Beach.

“It’s to send them off to rest in peace.”

Blae Ler’s mother placed a cake in the river, which Dwe said was done because Blae Ler loved cake.

“That was the last thing her mother could do for her.”

Eh Doh Soe, another community leader, said prayer was said for those who had passed but also those who remained.

“This is about coming to closure.”

The laying of herbs and water was done to give peace both to those who died and people who may use the river in the future, he said.

“If this continues to be a swimming place and for recreation, we do bless and wish everyone will be safe while they are here.”

Hina said iwi and councils would meet to discuss what should happen next.

Signs warning people not to swim were erected after Sunday’s drownings.

People appeared to be taking the message seriously, as no-one was in the water before or after Wednesday’s ceremony.

Hina said Ahimate, which loosely translates to ‘cremate’, was a tapu, or sacred, area where Paneiri people cremated the deceased.

The rāhui put in place a week ago is still active.