Ngāti Waewae represented by pou whenua in Kahurangi National Park
Saturday, 6 July 2019
The newest part of the Kahurangi National Park was once destined to become the site of a hydro-electric dam, but now its cultural significance has been marked with a pou whenua.
The carved wooden posts were unveiled on Friday at a ceremony attended by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, representatives of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, the Department of Conservation, regional and district councils and local conservation boards.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai said the addition was significant to the iwi and especially her rūnanga of Ngāti Waewae.
'Pou whenua have always been important to our people. They establish a footprint and provide a tangible sense of Ngāi Tahu mana in our takiwā. Ngāi Tahu are the kaitiaki or guardians of this land; we must ensure it is protected for us, and our children after us. This pou is a physical reminder of that responsibility.'
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Carver Mahana Coulston said he felt lucky to have worked on the pou.
'The pou represents the only iwi in the region of Mōkihinui, being Ngāti Waewae. It speaks of the whenua from our rangatira Tarapuhi to his cousin Mata Nohi Nohi, who was Ngāi Tahu.'
Tumahai said as part of a new strategic phase, the Kahurangi pou whenua would be the first of many to be erected on Ngāi Tahu land and in the Ngāti Waewae area.
PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE REVIEWED
At the event, Sage said the Kahurangi National Park Management Plan would be reviewed following the addition of 64,400 hectares of land to Kahurangi from the Mōkihinui River catchment area in March.
A hydro-electric dam on the Mōkihinui River proposed in 2007 attracted strong opposition because of its environmental impacts. In 2012, the decision not to go ahead with the hydro scheme was followed by support for the Mōkihinui catchment to be added to the park.
The review would consider how the Mōkihinui addition's significant natural values, cultural and historic values, and recreational uses would be managed alongside the rest of the park.
The Mōkihinui River catchment contains a combination of geology, landforms, riverine habitat, vegetation, animal and plant life and related ecological processes not found elsewhere.
The diversity of forest types within the area supports a wide range of native birds, including whio, kākā, and kea. There is a nationally significant long-tailed bat population, four sub species of Powelliphanta snail, six reptile species, freshwater vertebrates and invertebrates, and a variety of plant species.
The area is of high significance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Waewae. The temperate climate, fertile environment and safe harbours made it an important place to gather and replenish food stores before journeying south along a stretch of difficult coastline.
Ngāti Waewae chair Francois Tumahai welcomed the review.
'The review is a necessary step in addressing our cultural rights and interests and acknowledges the addition of land to Kahurangi National Park. The pou itself represents recognition that partnership is the way forward in terms of our relationship with the Crown and the ongoing work we're doing together.'