Weaving Ngāti Awatanga into Stories
16 Oketopa, 2024
E noho ana au i Pōhaturoa i te ātārangi ō Apanui,
Tapiki wairua tōku hīkoi ki Kāpū-te-rangi, ko Toi te-huatuatahi,
Titiro atu ana ōku whatu ki Puketapu, ko Te Ngārara,
Heke mai ōku māharatanga ki te Mānuka-tū-tahi
Te Mauri ō tōku waka ō Mata-atua,
Te Mauri i haria mai nei hei whaka-oho i tōku moe,
Tūturu whaka maua kia tīna, tīna,
Hāumi ē, hui ē, tāiki ē
Tīhei mauri-ora
- Dr Te Kei o Te Waka Merito
The Draft Te Tapatoru ā Toi Conservation Management Plan, which outlines the future management of Moutohorā, Ōhope Scenic Reserve, and Tauwhare Pā, is now open for public consultation with submissions closing December 1.
The plan is now called Te Kei o te Waka in a nod to the legacy left by revered Ngāti Awa kaumātua Te Kei o te Waka Merito, who was a stalwart for Te Tapatoru ā Toi.
Public hearings will take place on November 15 and 16 at Te Whare o Toroa Marae for those wishing to present or give an oral submission.
The draft plan is available here [to upload document], and physical copies can be viewed at the DOC Whakatāne office or Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa reception. Submissions and queries can be sent to ttat@doc.govt.nz or posted to 9 Louvain Street, Whakatāne, 3120.
Background:
Te Tapatoru a Toi is a co-governance group established to manage three key cultural and historical reserves, consisting of:
· Moutōhora Wildlife Management Reserve – includes the island and sea extending to 100 meters offshore. It is subject to an ecological restoration plan
· Ōhope Scenic Reserve – a key ecological area with native forests and significant biodiversity, and home to sacred sites.
· Tauwhare Pā – an ancient hill fort that holds historical significance, with ties to Māori tribal wars and settlement patterns.
It was created following a Treaty of Waitangi settlement between the New Zealand Crown and Ngāti Awa. As part of the settlement, the reserves were returned to Ngāti Awa, who now manage the sites in partnership with the Department of Conservation.
The purpose of forming Te Tapatoru a Toi was to enable a co-management arrangement that respects both the environmental protection mandate of the DOC and the cultural and spiritual values of Ngāti Awa. It was a key outcome of the broader Ngāti Awa claims settlement, which aimed to rectify historical grievances related to the loss of land and resources.
Therefore, the primary role of Te Tapatoru a Toi is to oversee the management and protection of these culturally significant reserves, ensuring they are preserved for future generations while allowing public access and promoting education about their cultural importance.
The responsibilities of the rōpū include:
· Cultural preservation: Ensuring that the spiritual, historical, and cultural values of the sites are maintained according to tikanga Māori (customs).
· Environmental management: Working to protect and enhance the natural ecosystems within the reserves, including flora and fauna, through restoration projects and conservation efforts.
· Public education and access: Promoting the cultural and historical significance of the sites to the public, educating visitors, and allowing access while respecting the sites' sacred status.
· Partnership and collaboration: As a co-governance entity, Te Tapatoru a Toi represents a partnership between Ngāti Awa and the DOC, ensuring that both Māori and Crown perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes regarding the reserves.
The co-governance model of Te Tapatoru a Toi is an example of how post-Treaty settlements in Aotearoa are facilitating the return of control over significant cultural landscapes to iwi while maintaining public access and environmental stewardship.