Rāhui and SAR
Healing place and people through respect and care.
The concept of rāhui is deeply rooted in Māori cultural traditions and tikanga (cultural practice) fostering respect and care for all those involved. In a search and rescue context, rāhui involves the temporary restriction of access to a specific area, often following a significant event such as a death. Led by mana whenua, the placing of a rāhui after an accidental death is a profound expression of respect for the deceased and their whānau (family), while also providing space for healing – for both the land and the people affected.
In SAR, rāhui not only honours the departed but also creates a time for emotional, cultural, and environmental recovery, supporting the wellbeing of responders, the wider community, and the land. During the rāhui, time is given for the tapu (sacred prohibition) associated with the death to naturally dissipate, allowing the place to heal and become safe to return to. Responders benefit by having a space for reflection and healing.
When the rāhui is lifted, it offers closure and healing to the grieving whānau, the wider community, as well as to the people and resources involved in the SAR operation. Part of the process of lifting a rāhui, for example, provides an important opportunity to share emotions and experiences in a safe space, helping to release the taumaha (emotional burden) among colleagues.
Proper understanding and application of rāhui can significantly benefit everyone involved. However, rāhui is often misunderstood, undervalued, or ignored. Recently, the SAR sector has recognised these shortcomings, and NZSAR has initiated efforts to address them.
The work involves further research and building relationships with iwi to ensure rāhui is properly understood and respected. Initial research by Dr Chanel Meads and Rob Hewitt gathered perspectives from iwi and hapū leaders as well as Māori kaihautū (Māori organisational lead) within various SAR agencies and organisations. The research highlighted key issues and shortcomings in the application of rāhui within SAR, revealing the need to deepen cultural awareness and grow a more holistic understanding of its significance. Rāhui is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of both people and place, and when properly understood and respected, it fosters healing and benefits for everyone involved.
A key goal is to foster a deeper understanding of rāhui, so it can be embraced as a tool for support, while also respecting and preserving its cultural significance. Our sector also has a role to play in educating the public about rāhui, ensuring closures are respected and the broader context is understood. This will help to protect the tikanga of rāhui and uphold the benefits it offers to everyone involved.
Working towards this goal, a series of three videos explaining rāhui to different audiences are nearing completion.
- The feature image is from the first video, where representatives from the sector explain how rāhui can be applied in a SAR context and fostering shared understanding across dif ferent SAR organisations.
- The second video is for land managers, such as those within the Department of Conservation, highlighting how rāhui is applied and providing guidance on engaging with iwi around rāhui.
- The third video, aimed at the general public, will focus on outdoor recreation, explaining what rāhui is and why it is important to respect it.
These videos represent some of the first tangible outcomes of this work and we can expect further resources and initiatives from NZSAR and other sector agencies and organisations in the near future.
Rāhui is much broader than the SAR context that we have discussed here. The article is intended to give a brief insight into rāhui as it applies to our sector. Readers are encouraged to learn more about rāhui, as well as tikanga more broadly. Seek out support from your agency or organisation Kaihautū Māori or consult these resources recommended by Dr Chanel Meads:
Mead, H. M. (2003). Tikanga Māori, Living by Māori Values. Wellington: Huia Publishers.
Marsden, M. (2003). The Woven Universe, Selected Writings of Rev. Māori Marsden. (T. A. C. Royal, Ed.). Otaki, New Zealand: Estate of Rev. Māori Marsden.
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This story was originally published in the April 2025 issue of Link magazine, which is produced by the NZSAR Secretariat for the wider search and rescue sector.