Exploring the rich Māori history of our area

Northcote College staff had the opportunity to tour the area around our school and learn the stories of the area’s rich Māori history and the various iwi who have lived here.

We were joined on the afternoon tour by Robin Taua-Gordon and Josie Wall of Te Kawerau ā Maki, and colleagues from other schools in our immediate area.

We stood under the harbour bridge at Te Ōnewa Pā (Northcote Point/Stokes Point), and looked out over Oneoneroa (Shoal Bay) and visited Mōunu Pioke / Waimanawa (Little Shoal Bay).

We heard stories of pā sites, papakainga (villages), of popular fishing grounds and shellfishing spots. We learned the stories of various iwi ancestors, and the fascinating backgrounds of Māori names for places around our neighbourhood.

We learned of the pā site on the headland at Te Matarae o Mana (Kauri Point) and the village (Ngutuwera) behind Rongohau (Kendalls Bay) – and the shark fishery which thrived there. We heard of other nearby settlements including Onetaunga (Soldiers Bay), Wa iti o Toroa (Island Bay), Kaiwhanake (Charcoal Bay), Opaketai (north of Charcoal Bay), Kaipātiki, and at Te Rua-o-Mokai (Oruamo/Hellyers Creek).

At Te Kaimataara o Wai Manawa – the lookout over Wai Manawa at the Highbury shops – we admired the dazzling views across Le Roys Bush and Wai Manawa and out across to Rangitoto. We heard several stories told by different iwi on the origins of Lake Pupuke and Rangitoto. We learned the histories of Te Kōpua o Matakerepō (Onepoto Basin) and Te Kōpua o Matakamokamo (Tuff Crafter), and of the Awataha area.

Enormous thanks to Kelli Kawhia Conrad and Nicola Manoa for their hard work in organising the tour.

For those keen to learn more, you can find the FULL PRESENTATION HERE.