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Name
|
Value
|
Evidence
|
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1
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Te
Whanganui ā Orotu
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Wildlife
|
Supports
the highest diversity of water birds in the region, and is a significant
breeding ground for a number of endangered species.
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Native
fish
|
Supports
the highest diversity of native fish in the region, with a significant number
of native fish species relying on the area to breed and feed.
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Landscape
& Geology
|
Excellent
example of tectonic processes and uplifted channel fossils.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
Te
Whanganui-a-Orotū is a place of great cultural and spiritual
significance to the Ahuriri Hapū. It is central to their existence and
identity. It is named after the ancestor Te Orotū, who was a descendant
of the great explorer and ancestor Māhu Tapoanui, who is the very beginning
of the Ahuriri people. Ngāti
Pāhauwera and Maungaharuru –Tangitū also have customary
linkages to Te Whanganui-ā-Orotu.
Moremore
is the kaitiaki of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū, and known as the guardian of
the people occupying the shores of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū who are his
descendants. The appearance of Moremore warned people of dangers and
reinforced the customs practiced by the old people. The law of Moremore was
always observed.
The
area around Te Whanganui-a-Orotū was a very important source of food and
was heavily populated and the site of a number of significant battles.
Consequently, numerous sites of cultural, historic and archaeological
significance are situated around what was its shoreline.
From
the earliest of times it was highly prized for its enormous food resources
and its access to major river systems and forest areas. It was known as
‘a place of abundance'. Archaeological evidence confirms that Te
Whanganui-a-Orotū was an important place to live. Excavations indicate
settlement dates between the late fifteenth and early seventeenth centuries,
with very early settlement on Roro o Kuri - somewhere between the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries. Surrounding the harbour are 11 recorded pā, some
extensive in size. Extensive middens exist in this area.
The
pā at Te Pakake was a communal gathering place in times of trouble.
Ngāti Hinepare, Ngāti Mahu, Ngāti Parau, Ngāti Hawea and
Ngāti Kurumokihi are all recorded as having occupied the pā when
under threat of invasion. Pukemokimoki was a fortified pā, with a canoe
landing place near, located at south-western end of Mataruahou (Napier Hill).
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2
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Tukituki
River & Estuary
|
Wildlife
|
Supports
the highest population of wading birds in Hawke’s Bay, and has
significant regional populations of black fronted tern, banded dotterel and
pied stilt.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
The
Tukituki River is a tupuna awa (ancestral river) and has significant
cultural values. Legend tells of how the Tukituki River came into existence.
Two taniwha lived in a large lake situated on what is now the
Ruataniwha Plains. They fought for possession of a boy who accidentally fell
into the lake and their struggles formed the Waipawa and Tukituki Rivers
which drained the lake.
The
Tukituki River is a toanga of Heretaunga Tamatea. There is evidence of at
least 7-8 centuries of occupation by Maori, making this area one of the
earliest settled. The river was traditionally the main transport route
through Heretaunga. Historically,
the Tukituki catchment had an abundance of mahinga kai and natural resources.
In particular, the river mouth and estuary was renowned for the abundance of
fish species. The
estuary area continues to support important traditional fisheries.
On
the lower section of river, there are a number of sites that relate to the
actions of the ancient tīpuna, Māhu. On the north bank is a white
rock, Papaotihi. It is said the rock was once a man who was fishing in the
river, but he was turned to stone by Māhu. A little further on is
another rock, Tauhou, where Māhu turned another man to stone. Down river
near Te Kauhanga pā is another spot touched by Māhu. Here he put a
curse on the paepae and people died. Kahuranaki maunga, a site upstream of
Kaiwaka on the rivers eastern bank, is of special significance to all
hapū of Heretaunga Tamatea.
After
the arrival of the Ngāti Kahungunu tīpuna to Heretaunga, the
Tukituki River was established as the first boundary between Taraia and Te
Aomatarahi.
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3
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Waipawa
River
|
Cultural
and spiritual
|
The Waipawa River is culturally significant
for hapū of Heretaunga Tamatea. The river was a significant mahinga kai
particularly known for its tuna, pātiki, fresh water koura, water cress
and īnanga. Historically, the river provided access inland to the
resources of the Ruahine ranges, and later a trading post was set up on the
river, with boats travelling up and down from the Tukituki River mouth. The
River was significant as a boundary marker.
Legend tells how the Waipawa River came
into existence. A large lake was located in what is now the Ruataniwha
Plains, which was home to two taniwha. On one occasion a boy fell into the
lake and the two taniwha fought over their prey. The resulting destruction on
the landscape created breaks in the hills through which the lake drained
away. One of the channels through which the lake drained was the Waipawa
River.
A number of archaeological sites indicating
the presence of pā and kāinga have been recorded in the area. Near
the headwaters was Motu-o-Puku pā which belonged to the descendants of
Te Rangitekahutia and the descendants of Te Upokoiri.
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4
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Te
Hoe River
|
Wildlife
|
Supports
one of two largest regional populations of the endangered blue duck.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
Te Hoe River is a taonga of Ngāti
Hineuru, and has a number of significant sites are located along the length
of the river, including an important, permanently settled pā site at
Ngatapa and wāhi tapu sites by the confluence of the Te Hoe and Mohaka
Rivers. The river is a traditional boundary marker.
Te Hoe River provided drinking water, was a
source for spiritual cleansing and was considered to have healing properties.
The waters aided women after giving birth, the washing of tūpāpaku
and an important part of the ta moko process. Hangi stones were gathered from
this river, and it has abundance of tuna (eel), trout and koura.
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5
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Lake Poukawa & Pekapeka
Swamp
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
Lake
Poukawa, also known as Te Wai-nui-a-Tara, a taonga of Heretaunga Tamatea,
traditionally used for food gathering. Flax from the area
surrounding the lake was cut to make kete and whariki (kits and mats).
The
Lake is well known for its eel fishery which is of considerable cultural
importance to the people of Te Hauke and their hapū Ngai Te
Rangikoianake. The history of Lake Poukawa is directly related to the
eels of the lake. The mana of each chief of Te Wheao is related to control of
Lake Poukawa and its resources.
Lake
Poukawa has
been the scene of many battles, with a number of wāhi tapu and
wāhi taonga sites in the area. The origin of the name
‘Poukawa’ is said to have arose as a result of a disagreement
between two local chiefs Te Rangihirawea and Te Rangikawhiua over fishing
rights in the lake.
The
Lake has been declared a non-commercial eel fishery, one of only a few lakes
in New Zealand to have this designation. The lake is only
currently able to be harvested by local Tāngata Whenua for customary
purposes.
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6
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Waiau
River
|
Wildlife
|
Supports
one of the two largest regional populations of the endangered blue duck.
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7
|
Lake
Whatumā
|
Wildlife
|
Supports
the highest number of the endangered Australasian bittern in the region.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
Lake
Whatumā is a taonga of the hapū of Heretaunga Tamatea. The name
refers to the discoverers of the lake who ate tune (eels) they found there
until their hunger was satisfied. The lake was a significant mahinga kai. As
well as tuna, it was also known for other freshwater fish, freshwater
mussels, birds (including kereru), and raupo pollen.
Lake
Whatumā was a traditional area of residence to a permanent population
and was utilised by a number of surrounding hapū who travelled to the
lake to gather resources on a seasonal basis. There are numerous remains of
middens, tools, bones, pits, chisels and axes indicating there was a high
population in the area.
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8
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Ngaruroro
River and Estuary
|
Wildlife
|
The
Lower Ngaruroro River (below Whanawhana) supports one of the largest
populations of banded dotterel in Hawke’s Bay, and the only breeding
population of Pied oyster catcher in the north island.
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Natural
character
|
The
Upper Ngaruroro River (above Whanawhana) is in
excellent ecological condition, with pristine water quality. The upper river
has the highest MCI score in the region. The river flows through a variety of
unmodified landscapes, including indigenous forest, tussock and scrubland
land and narrow rocky gorges.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
The
Ngaruroro River is a taonga of Heretaunga Tamatea, Mana Ahuriri, and
Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The full name of the Ngaruroro River is
Nga-ngaru-o-nga-upokororo-mai-i-mokotuararo-ki-Rangatira, with the river
taking its name from an incident in which a dog belonging to the ancient
deity Mahu startled some small fish known as upokororo. As the shoal of fish
dashed away they caused ngaru or ripples in the water
The
headwaters of the Ngaruroro River are commonly expressed as being at the heart
of the Kaimanawa Ranges, the River forms a natural highway from coast to
mountains and there are many settlements and sites of significance along its
banks, including the presence of Pā, Kāinga, urupā, Wāhi
Tapu, wāhi taonga and wai tapu.
The
Ngaruroro River has significance as a mahinga kai and has been a significant
marker of land interests from ancient times. A pou once stood at Whanawhana
which represents an important political demarcation between hapū.
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Aquatic
macroinvertebrate
|
The
Upper Ngaruroro River has the healthiest macroinvertebrate
community in the region.
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Landscape
& Geology
|
The
Upper Ngaruroro River has exceptional scenery with numerus rapids and rocky gorges with
vertical schist walls.
One of the best two gorges in the region.
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|
Recreation
|
One
of the best trout fishery’s in the region with impressive scenery and
change to catch trophy trout. The Ngaruroro Gorge is one of the best kayaking
runs in the North Island, and the braided stretch of river between Whanawhana
Fernhill Bridge supports the best jet boating in Hawke’s Bay.
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9
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Lake
Rototuna and Lake Rotoroa
|
Native
fish
|
Best
population of Kōaro in Hawke’s Bay.
|
|
Native
plants
|
Best
composition of submerged aquatic plants in Hawke’s Bay.
|
|
Natural
character
|
The
lakes are in excellent ecological condition, surrounded by indigenous forest,
with no signs of human modification. The lakes have excellent water quality
and are highly natural, with a high number of plant species and vegetation
types in the lakes and around the surrounding area.
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10
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Porangahau
River and Estuary
|
Wildlife
|
Supports
the largest population of wrybill and banded dotterel in Hawke’s Bay
and is the only location in the region where royal spoonbill and Caspian tern
nest.
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Native
plants
|
The
only estuary in Hawke’s Bay to contain seagrass.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
The
Porangahau River, otherwise known as the Taurekaitai River, is a taonga of
Ngāti Kere. It is rich in archaeological sites, and provided the first
authenticated records of moa hunter occupation in the North Island. It is a
significant mahinga kai, and vast shell middens are situated in the dune
systems, and pā sites occur at either end of the estuary. On the
southern bank of the river, Opiango stands, a peak sacred to Ngāti
Pīhere.
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11
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Lake
Waikaremoana
|
Native
plants
|
Bbest
example of diverse aquatic vegetation in a large, deep lake in Hawke’s
Bay. The Lake contains a high number of submerged plants, with an excellent
indigenous turf community that has high native species diversity, and the
nationally rare charophyte Nitella opaca.
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Cultural
and spiritual[1]
|
Lake Waikaremoana is an important taonga to
the iwi and hapū of Te Wairoa, with many pā, urupā
and wāhi tapu sites located around its edge,
and was the scene of many battles. Legend tells of how Lake
Waikaremoana was created. Having been turned
into a taniwha, Haumapuhia, desperately tried to find an outlet to the
sea before the sun rose. Her ceaseless thrashing upturned the hills and
formed the various bays, inlets and features we see today.
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Natural
character
|
Has
an exceptional lake ecosystem and is considered to have similar
characteristics to a pristine lake in the South Island. Lake Waikaremoana is
in excellent ecological condition with a high number of native aquatic plant
species, and is surrounded by pristine native forest and spectacular mountain
ridges.
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Landscape
& Geology
|
Exceptional
scenery in an impressive and remote
natural environment, largest debris-dammed lake in the region.
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Recreation
|
Provides
for a range of recreation activities which can take place in a remote natural
environment with exceptional scenery. The lake is used all year round for
various activities, including general recreation, angling, kayaking, boating.
The Lake Waikaremoana Track is one of the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand.
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12
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Ngamatea
East Swamp
|
Native
plants
|
Largest
intact wetland in Hawke’s Bay and contains 15 threatened plant species,
including the nationally endangered sedge carex strictissima.
|
|
Natural
character
|
Is
a 300 hectares intact wetland area, with no signs of human modification and a
high number of threatened plant species.
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13
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Mangahouanga
Stream
|
Landscape
& Geology
|
Contains
the only the record of terrestrial dinosaurs found in New Zealand.
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14
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Mohaka
River[2]
|
Aquatic
macroinvertebrate
|
One
of the healthiest macroinvertebrate
community in the region.
|
|
Natural
character
|
Upper
Mohaka River (above Willowflat) is in a highly natural state, with pristine
water quality. The river flows through a variety of unmodified landscapes,
from large native forest areas, to remote countryside and through
spectacular gorges. The river is diverse and energetic in places flowing over
some powerful rapids.
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Landscape
& Geology
|
Upper
Mohaka River (above Willowflat) has spectacular scenery, particularly in
gorge areas, excellent example of a horseshoe bend.
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Recreation
|
Upper
Mohaka River (above Willowflat) has exceptional scenic beauty, which sets the
scene for a range of top quality kayaking, rafting and fishing experiences
which are the best in the region.
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Cultural
and spiritual
|
The Mohaka River is an important
taonga and there are numerous settlements and sites of significance along its
length.
The Mohaka River has been used as a significant
boundary marker to define areas of interest. Mohaka is said to have been the
name of a river or stream in Hawaiki. It was significant as a highway, being
a key route inland, and a traditional area of residence, urupā, pā,
kāinga, and other places of spiritual and cultural significance.
The Mohaka River provided a wealth of resources,
including hangi stones, drinking water and water for spiritual cleansing and
healing. It was significant as a mahinga kai resource, the river was
plentiful with fish species tuna, trout and koura. The forest around the
Mohaka River was very dense and provided many important resources including harakeke,
toitoi, birdlife and a range of plants used for medicinal purposes.
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15
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Tūtaekurī
River
|
Aquatic
macroinvertebrate
|
One
of the healthiest macroinvertebrate
community in the region.
|
|
Cultural
and spiritual
|
Ahuriri
Hapū have a strong cultural association with the Tūtaekurī
River, with the
lower reach of the Tūtaekurī River traditionally utilised by Ngati
Pārau. Otatara
Pā is wāhi tapu as an ancient pā and as an urupā. It held
a prominent position over the river and is ‘the guardian of all people
who live in its shadow’. A site at Te Whare O Maraenui, located on the
eastern bank of the Tūtaekurī River, contains an urupā of
those who died during the battle at Te Pakake Pā.
Heretaunga
Tamatea, Ngāti Pāhauwera and Maungaharuru –Tangitū also
have cultural association with the river, with the river once providing a
major transport route into Mokai Patea (Taihape) and beyond. The
Tūtaekurī River forms part of the rohe boundary between Heretaunga
and Ahuriri.
The
Tūtaekurī River takes its name from an incident that occurred when
Hikawera came to the aid of a starving party of travellers. He ordered many
dogs, fish and kumara to be prepared to feed the hungry wanderers. The place
where this occurred became known as Te Umukuri. The dog’s offal was
thrown into the river to replenish what was taken, hence the name
Tūtaekurī.
The Tūtaekurī River once was a
significant mahinga kai providing much of the food supply for the local
hapū. Otatara Pā was a major intersection between Heretaunga &
Ahuriri and it permitted access to eel weirs, fern root groves and kumara
plantations in the hinterland. It also allowed access to Te Whanganui a
Orotū.
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16
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Waipunga River
|
Cultural
and spiritual
|
The
Waipunga River acted as a boundary and is one of Hineuru’s most
important taonga. The river is associated with many important mahinga kai,
kāinga, pā, it has numerous settlements and hundreds of sites
significance.
Hineuru
had a large zone of permanent settlements along the Waipunga River where the
Tarawera township exists today. It has been permanently occupied by Hineuru
iwi since the time of their ancestress Hineuru.
The
Waipunga River was abundant with fish species, including tuna, trout and the
koura. Hangi stones were gathered from the river.
The
forest around the Waipunga River was very dense and provided many important
resources including harakeke, toitoi, birdlife and a range of plants used for
medicinal purposes.
The
Waipunga River provided the people with drinking water, and was a source of
spiritual cleansing, wairua, and was felt to have healing properties (e.g.
aids with the healing of women after they had given birth, used for the
washing of Tupapaku and an important part of the ta moko process).
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17
|
Ruakituri
River
|
Natural
character
|
Upper
Ruakituri River is in a highly natural state, with good water quality. The
river flows through indigenous forest in its upper parts, with no human
modification at all in the surrounding area.
|
|
Landscape
& Geology
|
Upper
Ruakituri River has exceptional scenery, flowing through indigenous native
bush and past giant limestone cliffs and over the 72 m high Waitangi Falls.
|
|
Recreation
|
One
of the best trout fishery’s in the region, with crystal clear water
and spectacular scenery in a natural environment, with the chance to catch
trophy trout.
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|
18
|
Heretaunga Aquifer
|
Cultural
and spiritual
|
The Heretaunga Aquifer is a taonga of
Ngati Kahungunu, who know the aquifer system as the “Heretaunga
Ararau Haukūnui”, being a large water resource, represented in the
many rivers, creeks, the small tributaries fed by underground springs,
springs of water, swampy ground, swimming holes, rock pools and quick sands.
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19
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Lake Tūtira
|
Cultural
and spiritual
|
Lake
Tūtira (including Aropaoanui River and Papakiri Stream) is a taonga of
Ngāti Kurumōkihi, celebrated as a place of sustenance to replenish
one’s mind, body and soul. Ngāti Kurumōkihi carried out
ceremonies and rituals at designated places at Tūtira, such as tohi
(baptisms). Some rongoā (medicinal plants) are only found in or around
Lake Tūtira. There are a number of wāhi tapu, wāhi taonga and
wai tapu sites in the area.
The
inlet to Lake Tūtira is Papakiri Stream and is integral to the distinct
identity and mana of the hapū. Its importance is due to its connection
with Lake Tūtira and its reputation as a signifciant mahinga kai site.
The
hapū have a whakatauākī about the lake being: “ko te
waiū o ō tātau tīpuna” – “the milk of
our ancestors”. This whakatauākī references the abundance of
kai that could be sourced from the lake and the lake providing spiritual
sustenance. Lake Tūtira was famous for the best flavoured tuna (eel).
The
Aropaoanui River/Waikoau River originates at the tihi tapu (sacred peaks) of
the central area of Maungaharuru. The Aropaoanui River is one of the most
significant awa in the takiwā (traditional area of the hapū),
linking two of the most culturally and historically important areas of the
hapū, being Tūtira and Aropaoanui. The river provided an important
connection between Maungaharuru and the coast, allowing for seasonal
movements of the hapū. During peace Ngāti Kurumōkihi dwelt around
the coastal estuaries and the lake. During war they sheltered in the
forests and the hinterland. There was intensive Māori occupation around
Lake Tūtira and numerous sites of significance.
As
a prized taonga, many raids and battles occurred at Lake Tūtira.
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|
20
|
Wairoa River
|
Cultural
and spiritual
|
The Wairoa River is culturally
significant to the iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa. The river is
regarded as tapu. It is bound by rituals and traditions, which stem from gods
and belongs to their ancestors. The water of the Wairoa River was used for
purification, ancient chants and prayers. The river was also a major avenue
for trading and commerce with a number of pā close by. Several
important pā sites are located along and at the mouth of the river
including Rangihoua/Pilot Hill which is sacred to tāngata whenua.
It is said that the Tākitimu waka came up the Wairoa River
and landed at Makeakea Stream. Te Reinga Falls, the starting point of the
river, is associated with Hinekorako and Ruamano, which were taniwha carried
to Aotearoa on the Tākitimu waka.
The river mouth is also associated with two taniwha engaged in an ongoing
struggle between Tapuwae and Te Maaha.
The river and estuary area was an
important mahinga kai, providing inanga, mohoao, kanae, tuna,
kākahi and koura.
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