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We are a River Iwi. Our relationship with our awa tuupuna (ancestral river) has developed over centuries. Ngaati Koroki Kahukura continues to exercise the customary rights and responsibilities of kaitiakitanga over the Waikato River from Karaapiro through to Arapuni. As a kaitiaki of our ancestral river, Ngaati Koroki Kahukura continue to be responsible for protecting the health and well-being of the river for future generations. This statement of association also applies to all lakes and tributaries of the awa tuupuna.
Noo taatou te awa. Noo te awa taatou. E kore e taea te wehe te iwi o Waikato me te awa. He taonga tuku iho naa ngaa tuupuna. E whakapono ana maatou ko taa maatou, he tiaki i taua taonga moo ngaa uri whakatupu.” Robert Te Kotahi Mahuta 1975
”The Waikato Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act (2010) (‘Act’) gives effect to the settlement of raupatu claims entered into between Waikato-Tainui and the Crown in December 2009. The overarching purpose of the settlement is to “restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River for future generations.”
With an increasing focus on co-management of resources and environments in Aotearoa and in particular the Ngaati Koroki Kahukura tribal lands, a well informed and planned approach to Indigenous environmental innovations will be at the centre of enhancing the mauri and life of our waterways and freshwater species.
At least since the early 1300s, the Waikato peoples have lived in settlements along the banks of our river. The river was everything. The personification of the. natural world is a fundamental feature of Maaori tradition and the river is conceptualised as a living ancestor by the Waikato-Tainui people, and is recognised as having its own life force and spiritual integrity. The river’s healing powers are reflected in the words of my elder, Te Kaapo Clark:
Spiritually the Waikato River is constant, enduring and perpetual. It brings us peace in times of stress, relieves us from illness and pain, cleanses and purifies our bodies and souls from the many problems that surround us … (Te Aho, L., 2011, pp.348)
The Waikato River was the principal highway of trade for Ngaati Koroki Kahukura. Ngaati Koroki Kahukura were waka builders. From the nineteenth century that trade included sending wheat, flax and potatoes via waka north and overseas for trading. In addition to its role as part of the waka culture and transportation network, the river provided many resources including flax for weaving. Its flood plains and river valleys provided large areas of arable soils. (Ngaati Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act 2014)
These stories, lived experiences and knowledges are intended to re-ignite and promote the legacy of innovation left to us by our tuupuna. We will be captured through video work to promote our Ngaati Koroki Kahukura understandings, relationships and responsibility to our whenua and puna.
