A new rāhui has been declared for Ōhiwa Harbour and some of Ōhope Beach after the death of 41-year-old Hikato Maaka, who went missing in the water on Christmas Day.

Mr Maaka’s body was recovered by family on Sunday at the mouth of the harbour.

An initial rāhui was placed on the harbour by Ngāti Awa last week while Mr Maaka was missing and the searches for him were continuing. It was lifted at 7am on Monday.

However, a rahui imposed by Te Ūpokorehe iwi on Monday remains in place until Sunday, January 12.

Ūpokorehe kaumātua Wallace Aramoana said the rāhui had been imposed to protect the dignity of the deceased and to allow processes in accordance with the iwi’s tikanga to take place.

It covers Ūpokorehe’s traditional boundaries from Pakihi Kura (the midpoint of the Waioweka River) to Maraetotara Stream, including the entire Ōhiwa Harbour and coastal beaches between the two points.

The rāhui restricts fishing, gathering of shellfish and seafood, and recreational activities such as kayaking, swimming and boating.

Necessary travel by those who live on Ohakana Island and need to cross the harbour to access the mainland does not come under the scope of the rāhui.

Mr Aramoana said the rāhui was declared in accordance with Ūpokorehe tikanga and out of respect for the bereaved family.

“It’s really an act of respect. This is how we grieve and how we show respect to those families who have lost their loved ones, and it is our traditional practice.”