A religious belief should not be forced on others by law

Stuff reports:

Local iwi want the Christchurch City Council to stop allowing people to scatter or bury human ashes in parks and reserves but councillors are hesitant to ban the practice.

The council has been in a quandary over the issue since Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd (MKT), a company that acts on behalf of the six runanga within Christchurch, raised concerns in a submission on the draft 2014 Parks and Reserves bylaw.

The draft bylaw included a provision for ashes to be interred or scattered in parks and reserves on the condition that written approval was first obtained from the council.

Why need permission in writing? The only requirement should be that any scattering not be done in a way that detracts from the enjoyment of others in the park – ie be considerate.

MKT asked the council to amend the bylaw to prohibit the burial or scattering of ashes of any deceased person or animal in any public park or reserve.

Cr David East, who chaired the hearings panel the council set up to consider public submissions on the bylaw, said the panel had met recently with MKT to hear more about its concerns.

“Obviously for Maori there is a cultural issue with the spreading of ashes in parks and reserves. In their view that land is then tapu and that prevents them from gathering food and doing all sorts of activities,” East said.

That is a religious view that some (not all) Maori may have. That view should not be forced on the entire population of Christchurch, and more than the views of Scientologists should be given credence in law.