DAWN CEREMONY FOR RAHUI ON MT MAUNGANUI MUSSEL BEDS

4 July 2002

A dawn ceremony will be held on the beach at Mount Maunganui on Saturday to place a rähui on the green lipped mussel beds in the area.

The rahui will be placed on the green lipped mussels in the area between Moturiki (Leisure) Island and Motuotau (Rabbit) Island for two years from Saturday (6 July 2002), and is backed by legislation in the form of a temporary closure made under s186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The rahui is being placed on the area by Te Runanga o Ngaiterangi Iwi, Ngati Ranginui Iwi Incorporated and Te Runanga o Ngati Pukenga ki Tauranga Moana, and will allow the depleted green-lipped mussel beds in the area to regenerate. The iwi have been working closely with the Ministry of Fisheries to achieve the legislative support for the rahui, enabling the rahui to be enforceable under the law.

The hour long ceremony on Saturday, which will be attended by Associate Fisheries Minister Parekura Horomia and other dignitaries, will start at 5.30am, on the beach near the walkway entrance to Moturiki (Leisure) Island, where kaumätua will conduct the ancient karakia/mihimihi (blessing). This will be followed by a breakfast at the Hungahungatoroa Marae. For further information please contact Brian Dickson, Chief Executive Officer, Te Runanga o Ngaiterangi Iwi, Tel 025 889 525 Backgrounder

History of local Iwi around Hopukiore

The land area adjacent to Moturiki (Leisure) and Motuotau (Rabbit) Islands is known as Hopukiore. The tribes who have occupied the area since the arrival of the waka migration from Hawaiki to Aotearoa were Ngamarama, Ngati Ranginui, Waitaha and Ngaiterangi.

The sea around these islands has been and remains an important source of Kaimoana (seafood) for these Iwi, in an area traditionally abundant with Kina, paua, mussel, tuatua, crayfish, snapper, tarakihi and kahawai.

In 1970 the New Zealand Archaeological Association reported that the island of Moturiki showed clear evidence of intensive occupation over a long period.

During the 17th Century the east side of Moturiki, known as Te Takanga, was occupied by Pakira of Ngati Kuku, whose Pa was called "Ahikahore". The Westside was occupied by Tauaiti of Ngai Tuwhiwhia hapu, and his Mahinga kai (cultivation gardens) was at Hopukiore. Tauaiti's whare (house) was called "Te Wairere", and his Pataka (food storage house) was known as "Marutuahu". This was also the name given to the mussel rock north-east of Moturiki "Te Toka o Marutuahu'. The beach between Moturiki and the land is called "Owhare".

Motuotau was never settled permanently, but was claimed by Whare Tapu of Ngaiterangi Iwi. This was an island where mutton-birds, fern root and seafood were gathered.

Maori proudly retain their kaitiakitanga (stewardship) over their rohe moana (marine areas) which will continue to be exercised for sustainable harvesting and management of "nga taonga o Tangaroa" (seafood resources).

Kia Ora tatou katoa
Ngaiterangi Iwi, Ngati Ranginui Iwi, Ngati Pukenga Iwi me Waitaha Iwi.