When the Land Speaks to you.

I have always had an interest in the History of Māori, especially of Murihiku Māori.
Recently a rōpu (group) of Oraka-Aparima Runaka members went for a history hikoi around a well known area in Murihiku (Southland)
We were fortunate to have an archeologist with us who showed us some 'old' Māori occupation sites and middens.
This picture shows shattered fire stones and the remains of kai - bones and shell.
The weather was excellent and we all learned a lot about 'our' past.

Interesting Reading about Ngai Tahu

If you are interested in learning more about Ngai Tahu, the tribe who have Mana Whenua in Te Waipounamu (the South Island), then here are two of their latest publications.
Te Karaka can be purchased from any book shop. Te Panui Runaka is distributed to every registered Ngai Tahu person. You can get the loan of one from a Papatipu Runaka (there are four in Murihiku, Waihopai Runaka, Hokonui Runaka, Oraka-Aparima Runaka and Awarua Runaka). Or you contact us, the RTM's. See our link at the right of this page.

Please note: There are eight 'tribes' at the top of the South Island so Ngai Tahu has a Boundary between them and 'us'.

Angel Fish

These are 'angel fish' made out of harakeke.
Very simple to make. The instructions are found in the book 'Fun with Flax'.
A great activity for wet days because one can create these ika ( fish) using paper.
By the time September comes (when one is able to cut harakeke again because it has been resting over the winter months ) the children will be 'guns' at making ika. Then you can make some out of the 'real thing'.
They look neat strung up as mobiles and the odd sparkly bead added puts an interesting aspect on the whole creation.
For more information contact the RTM's at www.rtm.maori.nz

We have been having a really good summer down here in Murihiku.

The signs have been here for sometime especially when one looks at the prolific flowering of the harakeke and the tikauka.

Our old people were great readers of nature and read the signs to predict the length of or sort of season that was coming.

Matariki was another holder of signs.