Pu¯kaha: A Gift to the People of New Zealand

Rangita¯ne Tu¯ Mai Ra¯ Trust’s gifting of the 942ha Pu¯kaha Forest to the people of New Zealand at an official ceremony on Saturday, 1 May 2021, brought to a conclusion the final stages of the ”gift-gift back” clause in the Rangita¯ne Wairarapa Tamaki Nui A ¯ Rua Treaty Settlement Act 2017.

Over 600 people witnessed this historic day as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received the gift on behalf of the people of New Zealand and unveiled a special plaque with the eldest daughter of kuia Hanatia Gilbert-Palmer who was unable to attend the event.

Described by the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, on the decision to gift Pùkaha Forest to the people of New Zealand as an “incredibly generous” act by Rangitàne was then followed up with a Mere Pounamu gift.

Rangitàne Tù Mai Rà Trust chair, Sonya Rimene, said “The gifting of Pùkaha to the nation is reflective of the ongoing participation of iwi and the Crown to work jointly together in partnership, to give true meaning of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in order to protect our taonga “Pùkaha”.

To all present Ms Rimene further stated that Rangitàne might be a small, gracious and humble iwi, but what we lack in numbers we more than make up for in generosity.

This historic occasion also celebrated the 10th birthday of Manukura the first white kiwi to be born in captivity and at the reserve.

The iwi has been and will continue to be actively involved in conservation work at Pùkaha National Wildlife Centre and it has been a key driver in restoring the 942ha forest and returning rare birds such as kàkà and kòkako to the forest.

In the past few years Rangitàne has developed cultural tours for Pùkaha visitors and a traditional carving workshop on site.

Work has just begun on a building to house the new Te Taiao Wànanga (Conservation Operations Course) for trainees that is teaching Màtauranga Màori and Kaitiakitanga with other conservation techniques.

Rangitàne jointly manages the visitor centre and forest at Pùkaha with a community board and the Department of Conservation, which sees an average of 38,000 visitors a year.

From Left (L-R): Mike Kawana, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Jodie Palmer, Sonya Rimene