Strategic wetland returned to iwi ownership Nā ROB TIPA
awarua rūnaka has turned the clock back on land lost to the Crown with the strategic purchase of a pivotal 404-hectare sheep and beef farm in the heart of the internationally-recognised Awarua/ Waituna wetlands, widely regarded as one of the last remaining expanses of relatively unmodified wetlands left in Aotearoa. The Awarua Rūnaka, through its Te Wai Parera Trust, has been in negotiations for several years with the Waghorn family, which for two generations drained, developed and successfully farmed the land. The sale was secured in time for the 2021 Waitangi Day celebrations at Te Rau Aroha Marae in February. The new purchase was christened Pikiraurahi, Te Pā Mahika Kai in recognition of the work by Awarua upoko Tā Tipene O’Regan to secure the Ngāi Tahu Settlement Claim during the 1990s, and his ongoing work for the rūnaka. Unveiling the new sign at the entrance to Te Hāpua Waituna, Tā Tipene explained the significance of the name. Pikiraurahi (also referred to as Piki) was the first-born child of Whakatitiro and Pipiriki 26 TE KARAKA MAKARIRI 2021
of Takapūneke in Akaroa. She was married to Tutupahi, rakatira of Western Murihiku, while her sister Te Wairua was married to Te Marama, the rakatira of Eastern Murihiku. Their younger brother was Tamaiharanui, Upoko Ariki of Ngāi Tahu. John Boultbee’s journal of the 1820s described Piki as “…. a stout woman of amiable disposition”. Tā Tipene is a descendant of Tei Tei, the second daughter of the union between Tutupahi and Pikiraurahi, “which is why I’m in a position to tell you this story.” His first memories of Waituna Lagoon were fishing there as a small child. “I remember the lagoon as it was then, and it has certainly deteriorated over time with changing patterns of land use, but its Above: Members of the Awarua Rūnaka, Whakamana te Waituna Trust and partners gather at the entrance to Te Pā Mahika Kai, which was officially opened by Tā Tipene O’Regan (fourth from the right) on Waitangi Day. PHOTOGRAPH: ROB TIPA
