Te Wai Pounamu is the last homeland on this planet to be settled by humans, whose footprints and voices have only been present for some seven hundred years. The land was named, adopted and altered by three successive waves of Polynesian voyagers: Waitaha, Ngāti Mamoe and Ngāi Tahu, who were integrated in each subsequent southward migration from Te Ika a Maui. In the 1700s, Kaiapoi Pā emerged as the most populous stronghold of Ngāi Tahu, and the trading centre of the prized greenstone which has given its name to this island. Following intertribal conflict, the destruction of the Pā, and the Canterbury Purchase of 1848, Ngāi Tahu consolidated on the reserved land at Tuahiwi. The cohesion of the village was aided by the construction of the mission church and school, and the commitment of Revd James West Stack. Since the Māori Renaissance of the 1980s and Treaty Settlement, and in acknowledgement of the principle of partnership, Ngāi Tahu have strengthened their presence and contribution to the economy of Canterbury/Waitaha, and are promoting a bicultural legacy for future generations. This zoom session is respectfully offered to partially fill the gap left from cancellation of our history bus tour to Tuahiwi, and with due acknowledgement of my necessarily Pākehā perspective.

Item added 28 September 2020

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