What does the community want

The act of stealing a taonga breaks tapu and causes offense. Te Whiti's mere was stolen and has now found after information was recieved. The culprit could face charges. How will the fate of this person be decided? Discussion and consensus is the answer.

From NZH

"Te Whiti's oldest surviving relative, great-grandson Rangikotuku Rukuwai said the people of Parihaka would discuss the way to resolve the issue at the remembrance day for the prophet on September 18 and 19.

The Parihaka community would look at the reasons for the individual's actions and everybody would get to have their say on the matter, he said.

This is the way to work things out. The community has its say BEFORE the police and authorities get involved. Understanding the reasons behind a persons actions is beneficial to all partiers and assists the healing that inevitably needs to be done.