Kōrero tuku iho
Our Stories of our past
THE STORY OF KUKUTĀRUHE - OUR GULLY
Mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge of the Maori People)
THE STORY OF KUKUTĀRUHE
“The name itself speaks to Mātauranga Māori of old, as it depicts the flight of the kūkū, otherwise known as the kererū, kūkūpā, or native wood pigeon (Hemiphaga novaseelandiae). The kūkū was prized for its value as a food source, and as a seasonal indicator, as well as the feathers being utilized for adornment. The name Kukutāruhe therefore symbolizes the kūkū being a steady and observed resource of olden times.”
(From the Kukutaaruhe - Fairfield Project website)
In Ngāti Wairere’s mātauranga, the name reflects not only their observation of the kūkuu’s flight but also their knowledge of the seasons; migration patterns; native flora/fauna and their patterns; the river/stream ecology, as well as weather movements.
The combination of all this mātauranga (knowledge) indicated to them the opportunity to plan, forecast, prepare and execute a management strategy to ensure the best way forward taking into account hapū/community needs, ecological sustainability, shared resources and (needs of) successive generations.
There are also 2 large ancient Pā sites of great significance to Ngāti Wairere - Tūpari and Te Inanga.
An added value of the Kūkū to Ngāti Wairere stems from a story of the local ancient Paa site Te Parinui. A raiding party of Ngāti Māhuta attempted to ambush Hamua and his tribe in bypassing the river and stealthily creeping through the gully to attack from behind, but their efforts were thwarted when the noise they made startled the Kūkū who all took flight, alerting Ngāti Wairere of the raiding party and enabling them to defend the area and see the attackers off.
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