It is well worth reading this article about the fighting over the body of a Maori man who died suddenly . He lived in Christchurch, with his partner of 20 years, yet his whanau (wider family) took his body against her wishes, and a court order, to be buried in Bay of Plenty, in the north island. This they justified on Maori cultural rites, that he should be buried with his family.
The police never enforced the court order.
It will give you feel for an aspect of living here.
Day: 9 September 2007
Up all hours
Up late to watch the All Black opener against Italy, that turned out to be a stroll. A
sensible move on Joe’s part to be supporting the men in black rather than the men from his homeland in their white with horrible red stripe.
Here he is pictured with Dan Carter’s autograph, thanks to the thoughtfulness of Chris Burgess.
Having watched England’s opener, though not live thankfully, I think I will be soon searching for a new team to get behind.