TOSSI – Early history shared

Tawharanui has been occupied by people on or off since the first migrations of Pacific people centuries ago. The history of the original occupiers of the land, and the subsequent arrival and influence of European settlers, are stories that have been left untold at the park until now. Auckland Council working in consultation with Ngati Manuhiri has recently installed interpretive information that recalls the impact of people at Tawharanui.It was a very real privilege to walk up to the pa site overlooking the lagoon – known as Pa-hi – with Te Ao, knowing that her ancestors walked the same route for centuries. One can only imagine the strength of connection to Tawharanui if you are a descendant of Manuhiri, from whom Ngati Manuhiri takes it’s name, himself a son of the great the chief Maki. The view from the pa site is astonishing. Kawau Bay glistens to the south, the impressive Oponui pa site lies to the west, and Hauturu (Little Barrier) can be seen in the distance to the north-east. As part of this project, an audio device beside a carefully placed totora log enables you to take in the outstanding views while listening to recent recordings made by direct descendants of the people that once lived right there. A second audio device will be located next to the po that will soon be reinstated (having been removed for renovations) on the northern side of the lagoon, adjacent to the lagoon carpark.

Information about the man-made lagoon and it’s contribution to the growing city of Auckland can be found on the eastern shore of the lagoon, while installations at the woolshed gives a brief history of farming on the site. My Uncle Frank Thompson’s autobiographical recollections of living in what is now the resident ranger’s house during the 1920’s provide a useful insight into conditions at that time.

Collectively, the chosen sites form a trail named Te Hikoi O Ponui in honour of the chief Ponui. His descendants occupied the Waikauri Bay-Tawharanui area until the mid 1870’s and retained ownership of the western part of what is now Tawharanui Regional Park until 1912. Posts with distinctive red bands that include the Ngati Manuhiri logo identify the route. We estimate it will take about an hour to walk the trail plus allow time to absorb the stories and information and look with newly informed eyes at what you see around you. This is an outstanding opportunity to experience the living history of Tawharanui.

The koru adjacent to the park office, created out of the materials of the pest proof fence, has under gone a refurbishment as an ancillary part of the project. The koru emblem, found in many different cultures and natural forms such as the iconic unfurling fern frond, is of particular significance to the Open Sanctuary. The curls or koru at either end of the predator fence are literally the last line of defence, as pest animals will follow the curl to the centre and find a baited trap. A koru form also represents new beginnings; text now installed on the structure reflects the delight that the sanctuary has already given to many people, while acknowledging that the habitat we are creating now will take hundreds of years to mature. Those of us who love this place do so with great hope for the future. Now we can also get a glimpse of the past.

The last day of August saw the release of three male takahe – a father and two sons – translocated from the breeding population at Tiritiri Matangi Island. We will be watching carefully to see how the new birds integrate into the existing population, and can report that the adult male has already found the two females in the area of his release, and they seem to be coexisting happily together after just one day.

The next workday is Sunday October 4. Meet at the woolshed at 9am.