A hui at a site where mortuary waste will be returned to Papatūānuku Mother Earth rather than sending it out to sea is being celebrated as a ‘significant step’ in Gisborne.

The hui was held at Taruheru Cemetery last Friday, where mortuary waste from the region’s funeral homes could soon be disposed of using a specifically designed system.

Jesse speaks to Ian Ruru, who leads the KIWA group set up to provide cultural advice and technical support to the Gisborne District Council.