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 kid. Although deep down, I suppose I knew because of how Dad was around the awa. His eyes would light up in excitement when I swam and connected with the awa.”

“It was after Dad passed (in 2008) that I started to wholeheartedly connect with the awa again. I understand the connection now and what it means to listen to it.”

Ngā Remu received a High Achievers grant from Te Āti Hau Trust to support her University of Auckland studies for a Bachelor of Science, majoring in geography. The 40-year-old says it was the awa and tūpuna that steered the Auckland Museum events worker toward a change in career.

“I know for a fact that the awa and my tūpuna put me on track to do whatever I’m here to do. I resisted initially, but I finally got the message at Whakahoro at 4am on the day the Te Awa Tupua settlement was signed at Rānana.”

A series of events that morning -including her car gently coming off the road - left Ngā Remu with a clear sense of purpose.

“That morning, I got the message and was sent on this pathway. I finally understood that nothing in the world meant more to me than the awa. I’ve always had a good science brain - and who would I be if I didn’t use it for the awa?”

She cut back fulltime work at Auckland Museum and began studying. Now in her final year, she says receiving iwi support through the grants have allowed her to survive in Auckland despite working fewer hours to focus on study.

“I know that the awa will provide me with whatever I need to get this job done.

“I just keep going and everything keeps falling into place.”

“So far I have received top grades and absorbed more understanding than if I was stressing out on making ends meet. Not only that but having iwi support makes me more adamant to go home and make a difference. I feel cared for and that what I’m doing matters to someone more than myself. It’s hard to put in words, but I suppose it’s just the ultimate support the iwi can show me at this time.”

Ngā Remu’s degree studies focus on rivers and coastlines. Her research looks at geomorphic responses to re-vegetation programmes and how they might support ‘finding the voice of the river’ and returning it to a state of ora. She says her deep connection to the awa can’t help but bring a different dimension to the science.

“Luckily, my professor understands that there’s a seen and an unseen realm within nature, and that the river has a mouri and is alive. There is an acknowledgement that, as Whanganui, our understanding and connection with the awa is something we can offer the world.”

Outgoing Te Āti Hau Trust chair Keria Ponga says Ngā Remu has been a grant recipient for a number of years.

“We realised what a high achiever she was, and that she’s an A-grade student who comes home and contributes to the river - but she hadn’t applied for any scholarships. So we awarded her the high achievers’ grant as she is entitled to so much more than what she’s ever applied for. We wanted her to know that we value her contribution as an Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation shareholder descendant.”