Listening to the awa Scholarship recipient Ngā Remu Huia Tahupārae has inherited a deep connection with Te Awa Tupua. She talks to Moana Ellis about the understanding that Whanganui River iwi can contribute to the world of science.
Ngā Remu Huia Tahupārae says she was “born into” her connection with Te Awa Tupua. As a child her father would sit her down by the awa and make her listen to it. “I used to just roll my eyes and say: I can’t hear anything!” the thirdyear science degree student says. Her late father, John Rangitihi Rangiwaiata Tahupārae (Tahu), was a Whanganui iwi leader and tohunga.
“Dad was so closely tied to the awa. The whakatauki: E rere kau mai te awa nui mai i te Kāhui Maunga ki Tangaroa. Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au - that comes from Dad.” With his cousins and sister Joan, Tahu launched the annual Tira Hoe Waka journey on the Whanganui River, and mentored a generation of young Whanganui River leaders. “I was blessed to be connected to my cousins through living with Dad as a teen and saw the development
of many of our iwi leaders today. I remember when they were just young and learning to lead our iwi. Those are fond memories that sometimes make me giggle probably them as well!” As a young woman, Ngā Remu ran away from iwi obligations and went overseas where, away from the influence of the awa, she could be free to “be me”. “Yes, I ran away from it all. I didn’t get the importance of it when I was a
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