Kamako. Te Manu Toheroa and Horoatua were the Rangatira of that hapū. Manukino of Ngātirahiri got a waka called Tuhere at Motueka. The heke moved on to Riuwaka and settled along the coast between Riuwaka and the Motueka River mouth, and a Pā named Hui Te Rangiora was established. Horoatua claimed formal possession of the district and had a particular interest in the south bank of the Motueka River. Two subsequent heke included Merenako and her brother Te Karara, and also Wi Parana, Rawiri Putaputa, Rangiauru and their families, all of Puketapu descent. The significance of the Motueka River to T e Ātiawa o Te Waka-a- Māui is illustrated in the carvings in the ma in whare at Te Awhina Marae in Motueka. The river is also recognised in the pepehā of Motueka whānau, “Ko Motueka te awa, Ko Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui te Iwi …” Wāhi tapu sites found in the Motueka River catchment include the area from the Motueka Wharf to Thorpe Street, which was once an extensive garden where the raised sand dunes pro natural shelter for the crops. Just south of the Motueka River vided mouth was Raumanuka, a kāinga, which w as permanently inhabited. Traditionally, Raumanuka was the host marae for group gatherings and water was sourced from the river. Further south along the Motueka River was Kōkiri, a seasonal kāinga from which Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui tūpuna harvested coastal and wetland resources. From Staples Street north to the mouth of the Motueka River was an area Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui tūpuna used to gather pingao for weaving. Established gardens were also associated with blocks on nearby higher ground. Ther e were numerous Pā sites and kāinga associated with the Motueka River catchment. One Pā named Pounamu was located at Staple St on the southern side of the awa. Whakapaetuara Pā was situated on the north bank of the Motueka River. “Whakapaetuara” superseded the old Pā “Hui Te Rangiora”, which was situated at the mouth of the Riuwaka River. The Motueka River is central to the lives of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a- Māui and carries the lifeblood of the Motueka whenua. The wai flowing through the Motueka River is the lifeblood of Papatūānuku and the tears of Ranginui; the spiritual link between the past and present. The wai of the Motueka River is a taonga provided by ngā tūpuna. The Motueka River is central to Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui whakapapa and the connectedness and interdependence of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui to all things animate and inanimate derives from this special taonga. Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a- Māui believes that the Motueka River is the source of life which sustains the physical and spiritual wellbeing of our ancestral lands in Motueka. The awa supports the lifeforms which are an integral part of the identity of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka- a-Māui, and can therefore not be separated from them. The Motueka River is revered by Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui and has a mauri, wairua, tapu and mana unique to it. The relationship of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui to the Motueka River relates to the entire catchment. The health of the Motueka River reflects the health of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka- a-Māui people who live in the rohe. The Motueka waterway was very important in the transportation of pounamu from inland areas down to settlements on the coast, from where it was traded, and thus there were numerous tauranga waka (landing places) along it. The waterway was an integral part of a network of trails which were used in order to ensure the safest journey, and incorporated locations along the way that were identified for activities including camping overnight and gathering kai. Knowledge of these trails is held by whānau and hapū and is regarded as a taonga. The traditional mobile lifestyle of the people led to their dependence on the resources of the waterway. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 125 of 163