A Tuhoe elder says the guilty verdicts in the Janet Moses manslaughter case will not stop Maori from carrying out Makutu-lifting ceremonies.
The 22-year-old from Wainuiomata, drowned as family members tried to lift a curse by pouring water down her throat, and in her eyes.
The verdicts were met with a mixture of dismay and anger.
Sobs were heard from the public gallery as five of eight people accused of the manslaughter of mother of two Janet Moses were found guilty.
Family members of those found guilty maintain they have done nothing wrong and became angry at the media attention, swearing at cameras and reporters.
It was Moses' uncle and four of her aunts who were found guilty of manslaughter, with three other family members acquitted.
The five were trying to lift a Maori curse, believing there were demons inside Moses because her sister had stolen a stone lion from a hotel in Greytown.
The defence argued they had misinterpreted what was actually a mental illness after the breakdown of her relationship and grief over her grandmother's death.
Over an eight hour period they poured water over her, in her eyes and down her throat as well as gouging at her eyes and blowing smoke in them.
The Reed Maori Dictionary's definition of a Makutu is "bewitched or black magic" - but Tuhoe spokesman Tamati Cairns says it's more like counselling and that the incident will not put Maori off continuing the practice.
The lifting of Makutu is still used among many Iwi around the country and can involve using water, prayer or waiata.
Cairns says the incident is a tragedy because the intentions were to help Moses.
“What's happened is so unfortunate because it's happened as a result of good aspiration but bad practice,” he says.
The five found guilty will be sentenced in August.
3 News