A sudden death at the edge of Whangārei Harbour has triggered a three-day rāhui in the area.

Police attended the sudden death, in mangroves off Whangarei Heads Rd, Onerahi, on Wednesday morning.

They were now making inquiries into the death on behalf of the coroner, but the matter was not being treated as suspicious, a police spokesperson said.

“We are not aware of any risks to the wider public.”

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On Thursday, local hapū Te Parawhau laid a rāhui on the area.

A rāhui – a customary prohibition separating people from tapu things – would normally mean a ban on fishing and taking shellfish.

However, the area is already part of a marine reserve where the gathering and taking of kaimoana and marine life is prohibited.

Te Parawhau expressed their sincere condolences to the whānau pani [bereaved family], Northland police said in a social media post.

The rāhui will remain in place until 11am September 3, when Te Parawhau kaumātua will return to the area to lift it.

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