Welcome to 'Friends of Tangaroa'
We are committed to stopping scientific whaling in the southern ocean in a way that respects and honours the cultures of all involved.
Tangaroa is the Maori God of the sea. We respect and honour Tangaroa's domain. We are also friends of Owatatsumi, the Japanese lord of the sea and all water creatures and we respect and honour Owatatsumi's domain.
As friends of both Tangaroa and Owatatsumi our approach is to advise the people of Japan of the love, respect and spiritual connection that a lot of New Zealanders (including Māori) have towards whales.
We will advise universities, industry groups, schools, councils and other interest groups within Japan of our connection with the whales. With this understanding, we will request our new friends in Japan to lobby those undertaking the scientific whaling and ask them to consider stopping for our sake, for their sake and for our children's sake.
2011 February - March
A Message to our friends in Japan
To the people of Japan – from the Friends of Tangaroa – our hearts and best wishes go out to you in this time of sorrow and great loss.
We are all citizens of the Pacific and we thank you for coming to our assistance in our hour of need.
Nga mate aitua o koutou i tenei parekura nui
(The dead the afflicted in this great disaster)
Ka tangihia e tatou I tenei wa
(We lament for them at this time)
Haere, haere, haere
(Farewell once, twice, thrice)
