The shareholders in Te Kinakina (also known as Maori Land Block 2C2) descend from Mateohorere Tukaki, daughter of Te Taane Tukaki and Mihiwai Heremia. Shortly after the demise of Mateohorere Tukaki-Morrison in April 1967, Te Kinakina was committed to a 42-year lease managed by the Maori Affairs Department. Te Puni Kōkiri released Te Kinakina from leasehold status 48 years later, the youngest family member, Kathleen Morrison, was 60 years old.
In November 2018, at a whānau meeting in Te Kaha, the Tukaki/Morrison family members unanimously agreed to restore Te Kinakina Wetlands, and for Kathleen to lead this project. And so the journey begins.
Te Kaha No. 2C (also known as Te Kinakina) is a block of Māori freehold land situated on Copenhagen Road near the township of Te Kaha, Eastern Bay of Plenty. The land was once owned by Te Taane Tukaki whom all the current owners descend from. The land is generally flat to undulating with some steeper gullies and steep sidling not developed”. (MLC Judge Fox, 2015)
The primary waterway running through Te Kinakina land block is Pakuranui Stream. The dedicated wetland area of 7.2 hectares includes remnants of indigenous forest and seepage lowlands. Pakuranui Stream cuts a snake-like course across the valley before flowing out to sea. The locals call this area ‘Snake Gully’.
On the western side of Snake Gully, much of the land has been cleared and fenced off, interrupted only by a few pockets of native bush. The valley floor is damp, fed by contributories of spring water and other small creeks from neighbouring blocks. In general, the low land is seepage wetland, with natural ponds appearing when rain is plentiful.
The partitioning of Te Kaha 2C into Te Kaha 2C2 and Te Kaha 2C1 created a safe and secure place for the land-owners’ to stand – he Turangawaewae – that has rekindled a deep sense of identity, an interconnectedness associated with this whenua being ancestral land. The landowners have ‘he papakainga’, a place to call home, a place to rest, and a place to dream.
The dream, to regenerate and ecologically restore the wetland valley to provide ‘he papakainga’ for the ‘others’ – Tihei Mauri Ora
‘Te Ao Marama’ symbolises the rich diversity of life, resources, and biodiversity’ (Harmsworth 2004); and speaks to the range of life forms that exist – plants, animals, birds, fish, microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form – that are all connected through whakapapa.
Land, water, and air are essential ingredients of life, to be respected, cherished, and sustained.
Ko te matakite me te ara tipu – the vision, the pathway.
Our dream is to weave for Papatuanuku a thick warm cloak in many shades of green, a multi-layed korowai that will offer nourishment and protection for her and all her mokopuna. Is this too big or bold a dream to even dare imagine what it may/might look like in the years ahead of us? To a time when we may… …meander along gladed wooden pathways, catching glimpses of Pakuranui stream through stands of Kahikatea trees; and then take rest on one of a number of chunky bench seats discretely positioned amidst the wetlands.
Perhaps you have chosen a bench that overlooks the ‘kuta’ pond, a pond that is 2m deep because the deeper the pond, the longer the kuta stem grows. ‘Kuta’ a reed that was once used to weave whaariki (mats), Maro (aprons), Korowai (cloaks) and other ‘kakahu’ (clothing), is still a valued weaving material and often used to make potae (hats).
Or maybe you have chosen a bench in the sensory garden, a therapeutic space designed by a local Mama and her whanau. This Mama raised two children both at the high end of the autistic spectrum, and it was she who advocated for Te Kinakina Wetlands to include a sensory garden space for children “just like” hers.
As you continue moving through the wetlands, the wooden pathway will take you through 3 large Pa Harakeke – although Harakeke has come to be known as ‘flax’ it is in fact a lily. Each Pa Harakeke is quite separate from the other two because these gardens provide weavers with different types of harakeke.
The Mate Lawson Harakeke garden, established on the 1 May 2021, offers leaves best suited to weaving korowai and piupiu.
The Matekino Smith garden offers leaves for weaving whariki; and the Ereti McRoberts Pa Harakeke (flax garden) offers flax for weaving kete and kono. Ko nga Pa Harakeke are open to all weavers, so do not be surprised if you discover weavers working in “Te Ipo Here” the Wetlands Art Studio.
Te Ipo Here is the name of Te Taane Tukaki’s whangai Mother, (his great Aunt). It is said that Te Ipo rode on horseback all the way to Horoera (around 1886), to collect her new baby, bringing him home to Te Kaha where Te Taane lived for the rest of his life. It is through Te Taane Tukaki and his wife Mihiwai (nee Kahara) that Te Kinakina land owners are descended. You may wish to spend time in Te Ipo Here Art Studio yourself, perhaps you had read on Te Kinakina Website that Te Ipo Art Studio is open to all to share…I hope you have brought your sketch book with you, or a pen to write short story in your notebook? Have you see the armchair there, next to the large window that looks the ferns? That would be a very comfortable place to sit.
Can you see the bees and tui feeding from the korare (Harakeke flowers)? Can you see the plump kereru perched up in the kowhai tree/puriri)? Are those buzzing bees? Yes we have alot of bees living here, they like to dine on korare as well; I don’t know if you notice that their hives are just over there,inside the deer fence. Jason and Lorraine have had their bee hives here for more than 10 years now. I think you might have sweetened your coffee with their honey…
Thank you for coming to visit us – and yes it is a beautiful wetlands garden. Yes your are definetly enrolled in our Raranga workshop, the 7 day kete wananga…You’ve been following us on instagram … the kiwi breeding programme? Yes, it is very exciting – they come down to feed at night…we’ve got photographs of their prints near the ponds … You are aware that the raranga workshop is open to adults and secondary school students?
The venue is Mihiwai, it’s our whare wananga, up the hill next to Puriri House where you can stay … you want a room in the old milking shed instead? Kei te pai, but you need to know there is no bathroom over there, so you will need to come across to Mihiwai to use the shower and toilet.
We look forward to seeing you back again, tihei mauri ora.