By Lyn Walmsley – Trustee of Hāparangi A2 Reservation

Hāparangi A2 is a 54ha farm block, located beneath the Hāparangi mountain alongside the main highway to Horohoro.

In 2009, the whānau of Hāparangi A2 initiated a revegetation project, planting native trees alongside a natural waterway with the intention of protecting the waterway and improving the aesthetics and overall health and wellbeing of the whenua. 

As the harakeke (flax) and trees grew, whānau placed the whenua (placenta) of our newly born babies into the whenua and planted a tree on top.  The idea of burying ourselves in a more natural way, evolved organically and after consultation with the shareholders and beneficiaries, a reservation was established on the farm block to include natural burial areas (urupā tautaiao).

As well as aligning to our pledge to whakamana (uphold the dignity of) our whenua and aim to leave as little footprint on Papatūānuku as possible, natural burial will also help alleviate the cost of burial for our whānau.

[Image] Hāparangi – February 2019: Hāparangi maunga on the horizon and healthy and strong native trees planted in 2009 growing within a 5ha reservation.  The farm mauri in the foreground. The trees will be our monuments, when we die. 

Link to Te Ao Māori News https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2022/03/30/new-te-arawa-natural-burial-site-opens/

Lynette Walmsley – Hāparangi A2 Reservation Trustee