He whakamoana I ngā rohe whenua o tirotiromoana - From numbers to names that reflect whakapapa connections

The power of te Reo Māori and hapū history have changed a drystock farm at Arakamu Eltham from just a number to bearing a name of great significance and a beacon to the past and future.

Tirotiromoana is now the name of the Parininihi ki Waitōtara whenua once known as Farm 16, says Te Rau Whakaihoiho/Kaitiakitanga Strategy Manager, Tonga Karena.

“The name was given to us after the hapū (Ngāti Tānewai and Ngāti Tūpaia) had their own discussions about an appropriate name,” he says.“Its meaning is ‘to gaze and observe the expanse of the ocean’.”

The farm is sited quite high, so those on the whenua could see the moana – and vice versa.

From Rangatapu Marae at Ohawe Beach, on the banks of the Waingongoro River, whānau members of Ngāti Ruanui would go fishing and, at Tirotiromoana, the tangata whenua would light a fire, which had a similar function to a lighthouse.

“That would be the signal to help the seafarers back into shore,” says Tonga.

In keeping with tikanga, a dawn ceremony was held on April 22. The night before, PKW staff and tangata whenua stayed at Wharepuni Marae, which is on Fraser Rd, the same road the farm is on.

Above: Members of PKW and the Ngāti Tānewai and Ngāti Tūpaia hapū at the dawn ceremony.

Tonga says being together was important for building relationships and to take time to plan the steps for the ceremony the next morning. “It’s also an opportunity to learn from the hapū about the history of the land. We have whakawhanaungatanga and everyone does their pepeha, then we talk about what’s happening with the hapū. Others share updates about the whenua the farms are on.”

“As part of our reconnection strategy, our whakapono, which is to do with leadership and advocacy, we are taking significant steps towards building connections with the hapū.”

Tonga says Parininihi ki Waitōtara staff work with the hapū to help facilitate the process to finding a name. “Their freedom to choose the name is based on their whakapapa knowledge of the area and then it may be the name of the wāhi tapu on the farm, or a name relevant to their history.”

“Our historic knowledge of the wāhi tapu is always challenged when we sit with the hapū and listen,” says Tonga, whose iwi is Taranaki on his father’s side and Tuhoe on his mother’s side.

“We were privileged to have Tāne Houston give us a little bit more information,” Tonga says of the community leader, environmentalist and kaitiaki of Taranaki Maunga, who is of Ngāruahine, Tāngahoe, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Manuhiakai, Ngāti Tūpaia and Ngāti Tānewai descent.

Tonga says the Ahi Kā (burning fires), those who have had continued occupation of the land in spite of raupatu, helped choose the place for the sign bearing the appropriate name.

During the evening of whanaungatanga on the marae before the ceremony, members of hapū expressed their pain. “And then we can walk hand in hand into the future,” Tonga says.

Beginning with the poignant dawn ceremony, the women started with karanga, and the men recited karakia, while walking towards the new sign.

“We always direct someone from the hapū to ask three questions,” Tonga says. “They are ‘What is the name on the sign?’, ‘Where did the name on the sign come from?’ and ‘Who is the name on the sign for?’ They usually leave the last response for the next generation.”

That ceremony completed, everyone went to touch the sign. “That’s to make things noa – so they are free from any restrictions.”

Above: Members of PKW and the Ngāti Tānewai and Ngāti Tūpaia hapū at the dawn ceremony.

The naming ceremony was emotional for some. “We see the whānau – they go up to the sign and cry.”

Afterwards, everyone went back for kai in the wharekai at Wharepuni marae, then cleaned up and went home.

“There are still more farms to name,” says Tonga. “But the hapū need to be ready to walk with PKW and there’s a lot of relationship building that has to be laid down.”

Each PKW farm has its own history, a past to celebrate and honour, like a drystock farm at Arakamu Eltham now infused with the spirit of the tūpuna.

“When we hear the name Tirotiromoana , we think of those ancestors who got the fishermen back to shore,” Tonga says. “It’s the power of our reo that is the window to the universe of our ancestors.”