Sharp eye of Matakawau
In ancient times the Manukau Harbour shoreline could be a ver them as they plied the harbour. Keeping a sharp look out was b eyes. Hence the name Matakawau: the Mata (eyes) of the Kawau
Ngaati Te Ata-Waiohua
From Huakaiwaka, principal Ariki (chief) of Waiohua, who lived o (female) who made union with Tapaue, a high-born chief of Waika their Ariki, Te Ata I Rehia of Waiohua, shortened to Ngatiteata, around the shoreline of the Manukau harbour.
Manuka, the original name of the area between the Manukau He of its rich wetland, stream, forest and moana (sea) resources. of complex inter-tribal relationships right around the Manuk
Waka (canoes)
The main method of communication from one place to another w hapu and tribes throughout Te Ika a Maui (the North Island.)
Te Pae o Kaiwaka (Waiuku Portage)
An important route from the Waitemata harbour was via the Ot via the hauling track known as Te Pae o Kaiwaka to a place call to the Waikato River, hence providing access into the interior o
The responsibilities of a Tiaki A guardian who safeguards the mauri (life principal) of all things pertaining to Papatuanuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father) This means maintaining balanced environmental and cultural interests for all peoples. The ever increasing population growth in Aotearoa will place pressures on the landscape and infrastructure of Manuka. Land, sea, water and air.
This well-used communication route was known by tribes throu early settlers: kumara, potatoes, wheat and various fruits (pe famous portage Te Pae o Kaiwaka remains today south of Waiuk
Paorae
Other early travelling routes included the ara from the harb the Waikato River. This was a large area of sand dunes that str curve. This dune area was cultivated by tupuna who lived there gradually eroded away Paorae, which used to protect the clif
In 1838 James Hamlin purchased the block of Matakawau, this was the second earliest land purchase made by Missionaries on the Awhitu Peninsula. Due to these missionary origins this area was previously known as the Mission block. The soils were poor and infertile, and farmers barely scratched a living off the land. Another name for the area during these early missionary times was the Starvation Block.
Pit-sawed timber bach
Gumdiggers inhabited the area around 1865 - 1930. During the Great Depression some of the area was broken into farming units where some lived in temporary tent houses and built timber baches. The area was under Government possession until 1934 when the title was sold to Eliza Mary Jane Lodge. The land was reverted back to the Crown in the same year and then sold on. In 1949 - 1960 the land was subdivided, creating the settlement of Matakawau known today.
Temporary tent house
Matakawau boat ramp offers easy access to the Manukau Harbour.
Kawau (Shag or Cormorant) Native bird. 88cm, 2.2 kg, black with a white patch on cheeks, facial skin is yellow which in breeding season becomes orange red. breeding adults also have a white thigh patch, a small black crest on the neck and ďŹ loplumes. The bill is grey, the eyes green and the feet black.
Matakawau boat ramp
Other common names:
Black cormorant, great cormorant.
This pendant was found at mata-tuahu , a site west of Te Rua a Kaiwhare. The pendant i archaic (very old) and can be seen on display at the Auckland Museum. A special Taonga to Ngatiteata-Waiohua
Beach area north and south
f the cormorant
ry dangerous place to live. It was important to identify the waka and the people in being ever watchful, wary and prepared, like the cormorant, or shag, with its bright u (cormorant)
on Maunga-whau (Mt Eden) at Tamaki (Auckland), came Huatau who begat Te Ata I Rehia ato. Emerging from this political union, the descendants named themselves after mana-whenua and ahi-kaa of Manuka. Today, her descendants reside at Manuka and
eads and the Waikato River, attracted many Hapu and Iwi who camped there because . Whether visiting, passing through or conquering, hapu and iwi developed a number kau Harbour shoreline. The harbour was the food bowl for everyone.
was by waka plying the harbour, which was part of the main highway for travelling
tahuhu portage (hauling track) into the Manukau harbour, across to Waiuku, then led Purapura, where waka were launched into the Awaroa River that wound its way of the Island.
ughout Aotearoa and became a major trading route for Maori bringing produce to eaches, apples etc) that Maori grew, plus pigs, flax and wood. Only a remnant of the ku.
bour beach areas to the west coast, then the main beach track known as Paorae to retched from the Manukau Heads to the Waikato River and out to sea in an extensive e and fished along its shoreline for various fish and seals. Sea levels rose and ffs and coastline we see today.
Heme Te Manu, Ngatiteata chief, lived at Matakawau during the time of George Grey, Paora Te Katipa and other noted rangatira chiefs
is e
Orca travel past Matakawau as far as Te toro hunting sting ray, Especially when females have young which they train. The males herd ray and school fish towards the females and young by slapping their tails on the surface. Sea gulls fly from one kill to the other for bits and pieces. Keep your distance when plying the Manukau. ORCA
Heme Te Manu
Native Pohutakawa
Kaiwhare A Taratara
The tribal Taniwha of Ngatiteata on the Manukau harbour is called Kaiwhare. His Kainga (home) is at Taratara near the mouth of the Manukau heads, known today as the blow hole. Taratara identifies the place where he resides within our rohe hence; Kaiwhare a Taratara tribal guardian of Ngatiteata Iwi. Taratara is the ridge Pa above Tipitai which extends to and above Te Rua a Kaiwhare and was likened to the spine of a fish. In ancient times Manuka and Tamaki have been attacked by many tribes throughout Aotearoa. It is little wonder then why Manuka had a very high density of defensive Pa built throughout Ngatiteata-Waiohua rohe (landscape boundaries), the remnants of many still seen on the landscape today. Headlands and adjoining beaches like Matakawau were settled as Pa (defensive) or kainga (villages) which could also be defensive, as places to fish, collect shellfish and travel the waterways. Their mara (gardens) were close by and an area at Matakawau called Kokoreka, was named after one of the many varieties of kumara Maori grew throughout the peninsula. The principal fighting Pa are further inland along the coastal plateau linked by communication Ara (tracks) between harbour and western coastline. Some main roads were surveyed following these ancient tracks. When danger loomed along the Manukau harbour shoreline, whanau (families) moved into the hills Each principle Pa was protected by smaller buffer Pa linked by a network of Ara or walking tracks that were closely guarded. These Pa had defensive ditches with palisading and were hard to get into. However the introduction of firearms to Aotearoa enabled the attackers to fire into the Pa on built stages and many Pa were deserted during these conflicts. The Pa at Mauinaina (Panmure) was captured this way with devastating results. It is worth noting that the war taua of Hongi Hika beached their waka (canoes) at Hauputangata just north of Matakawau.
Rocky inlet
of the Matakawau boat ramp
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Hamilto
Ngaati Te Ata Rohe: the Awhitu Peninsula
The Ngaati Te Ata rohe (tribal area) is surrounded by water: Te Manukatanga O Hoturoa (the Sea) to the west and Te Awa O Waikato (the Waikato River) to the south. The whole Awhitu Pen headlands and promontories were settled, some as waahi nohoanga (temporary fishing camp plateau was strategically used to establish defensive Pa Taua (fighting Pa) and Pa Whawhai (
The coastal catchment means many things to Ngaati Te Ata. It is home to many of our kaitiaki than a thousand years of Māori occupation and use in this region. It is pointless to view part interconnect and interrelate to form a bigger picture, a networked settlement of occupati connections through heritage and environmental linkages.
The following whakatauki (saying) is known among our people as one of encouragement to de challenges for ever: “Ka whiti te ra ki tua o rehua ka ara a Kaiwhare i te rua” - “As long as the sun sets over the Wes
Significance of Coastal Areas
These coastal areas are significant to Ngaati Te Ata both spiritually and as a source of food sustenance and identity to coastal iwi. Sand dunes contain many important cultural sites inc rubbish dumps, together with remains of general living areas and stained sands from ovens. the past better.
Early Voyagers
In our oral history the first voyagers down the West Coast of the North Island called a lar area of land between the Waikato River entrance and the Manukau harbour entrance.
Kupe himself travelled through here. As Kupe journeyed north to the Hokianga he sailed up explored the Waikato River, naming many places as he visited them, then north along the sho harbour. Kupe spotted a cluster of rocks (sometimes now called Ninepin Rocks) on the nort lift the tapu from the district. Striking a rock with his hoe (paddle) he named it “Te-Toka-Tapu
Paorae HE TIKANGA Ā TE RŌPŪ KAITIAKI KI TE TIAKI TE WAIRUA-TANGA, TE AHUREA MŌ ŌNA AKE WHENUA ME NGĀ PUNA TAONGA. TĒNEI WHAKAATURANGA KI TE WHAKAMŌHIA IA KOUTOU TO TĀTOU WHAKAPAPA, WHENUA, WHAKAHAERE Ā MANA WHENUA
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE, THE GUARDIANS, HAVE SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL AUTHORITY OVER OUR TRADITIONAL LANDS, WATERS, AND RESOURCES. OUR HOPE IS TO GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE OF OUR HISTORY, REGION, CULTURAL RESOURCES, AND CARETAKER RESPONSIBILITIES
In ancient times the landmass Paorae stretched for many miles seaward where the Manukau times, when the chief Kokako resided with his people and cultivated gardens there. Great ku people who tended them. Paorae formed a blockade against the sea so only three salt-water majority of the Manukau Harbour was actually flat, sandy land covered mainly with kauri a
Gradually the sea gained dominance over Paorae, eating away at the islands and soft soil be flooded until they joined together to form the Manukau Harbour. This harbour was the jew beaches and crystal clear waters that provided a bountiful supply of kaimoana and fish.
The name Waimatuku is Maori for “Water of the Bittern”. The name is linked with the swamps a
In 1863 James and Margaret Hamilton arrived in New Zealand from Scotland to farm nearby land, eventuating in another name for the area: Hamilton’s Gap. Established in 1899, the Hamilton brothers cheese factory produced ‘Awitu’ brand cheese between 1900 - 1920, using the boiler from the old Flax Mill at Hamilton’s Gap. The Flax Mill produced rope and twine and was a source of income for some early settlers. The Hamilton’s Gap Flax Mill was opened in 1906 and was operated by Mr Weir. The Mill employed a number of local men and the flax was sourced mostly from the sand hills then pulled up the beach by horses. Other Flax Mills were also in operation on the Awhitu Peninsula, opening and closing as demand dictated. Today Waimatuku/Hamilton’s Gap is a popular destination for fishing, surfing and walking.
Cross section of the Awhitu Peninsula. (A) Miocene-Pliocene core (B) Awhitu Formation (C) Faults (D) Te Toro Formation (E) Oldest terrace (F) Modern dunes (G) Swamp debris
on’s Gap
e Manukau Harbour) to the north and east, Te Moananui O Rehua (the Tasman ninsula was once heavily populated and settled by our people. Harbour ps), highly valued for their access to the Manukau ‘foodbowl’... The coastal (Buffer Pa), their remnants still evident today.
and our taniwha. It is a significant spiritual power source. There has been more ts of this waahi taonga in isolation, as separate. They all ion and use. That is why it is crucial for us to re-establish these
Above: Te Weta Pa from the South side of Waimatuku. Te Weta Pa is one of nine significant early Maori sites still present within the area. Signs of habitation remain in the terraces and defence structures scattered around the hillsides.
escendants of Ngaati Te Ata that they may continue to rise to the greatest
st Coast Ngaati Te Ata will rise from the depths of the Manukau”
d, weaving and carving materials. Coastal resources continue to provide cluding urupa (burial grounds) and middens - New Zealand’s early domestic . These sites provide a tangible reminder of our history and help us understand
rge portion of this coastline Manuka-Manuka. This name now relates only to the
p the west coast, visiting Mokau and Kawhia Harbours. He travelled up and oreline until he arrived at the entrance of what is now known as the Manukau thern side of the entrance and landed there to perform a purification rite to u-a-Kupe”, the sacred rock of Kupe, as a reminder of his visit.
Above: Te Atia and Te Weta Pa formerly occupying the entire land mass pictured.
Heads now stands. The dunes of Paorae were still in existence in recent historic umara and taro plantations were planted and whare (homes) built to house the r streams wove their way past the Manukau Heads. During these times the and other native trees.
ehind the Manukau Heads. The land was reduced to a sand bar and the streams wel in the crown of Tamaki Makarau (the Auckland region) with pure white sandy
and lagoons that were once found in this area, similar to those now at Whatipu.
Geological map showing faults in the Manukau Peninsula and surrounding area. The Shaping of the Awhitu Peninsula Over the past two million years the Peninsula has been shaped by erosion, wind, ice, volcanism, earthquakes, sea level changes and sediment deposits, leaving behind the landscape visible today. Evidence of the true age of the Peninsula may be seen in Miocene rocks around the Te Toro area, created during the Miocene-Pliocene Period (22,000,000 - 2,000,000 years ago) mainly through volcanic activity and sediment deposition. Pleistocene Basalt fields were created some 2,000,000 - 10,000 years ago and along with sand and seabed sediment, make up what is known as The Awhitu Formation. The Awhitu Formation constitutes the bulk of the Peninsula and is approximately 150m thick at Waimatuku. In thin bands throughout the sandy layers of the peninsula are bands of volcanic ash and a three-meter thick Rhyolitic lava flow, erupting 1,000,000 years ago from Mangakino and flowing past Cape Kidnappers - the world’s most extensive lava flow. Ancient swamp remains are visible as dark spots in the sandy cliff layers.
Above: Waimatuku / Hamilton’s Gap as seen from the top of West Coast Road. This panoramic view reveals the ridge line known as Rewaroa ridge Pa.
Kaiwhare a Taratara Kaiwhare a Taratara is the name of our ancestral taniwha. Taratara means the spine of a fish, indicating the ridge between Tipitai and Rua o Kaiwhare, or the Blow Hole. Kaiwhare a Taratara is the spiritual protector of all tribes living around the Manukau harbour. Kaiwhare a Taratara has been seen on numerous occasions, often taking the form of a giant stingray, although he can manifest in many forms. He has a number of homes within the Manukau Harbour and can often be seen circling the South Manukau Head guarding the harbour’s entrance. One of his resting-places is at “Te Rua o Kaiwhare” (known as The Blowhole) at Tipitai, Manukau Heads. Our people often comment that the shifting of the channels in the harbour and at the bar are due to the swishing movements of Kaiwhare a Taratara as he moves along these waterways.
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