Although sourced in spiritual values, the kaitiaki role of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a-Māui over the Riuwaka is a practical solution for the regulation and control of human activities regarding this taonga. Central to this kaitiaki role is the maintenance of customary practices and the sustainable use of these natural resources. This role is an all-encompassing one providing for the protection of biodiversity, the utilisation of resources, while also maintaining these resources for present and future generations, and requiring the restoration and enhancement of its damaged ecosystems. All of the indigenous plants and animals at Riuwaka are culturally significant to Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui. The relationship Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a-Māui has with the Riuwaka taonga is central to our identity and to our cultural and spiritual wellbeing. This relationship is essential in maintaining Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a-Māui customs and traditions associated with this taonga. The Riuwaka awa and Resurgence is immersed in Ātiawa history. There are numerous wāhi tapu associated with this abundant food basket linking present day Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui p hysically and emotionally with our tūpuna. The cultural identity of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui is intertwined with this awa and with the maintenance of associated customs and traditions paramount to Te Ātiawa o Te Wa ka-a-Māui wellb e ing. As tangata whenua of Riuwaka te awa and the Resurgence these areas are highly sig nificant to Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a-Māui iwi, hapū and whānau. Te Ātiawa o Te Waka - a-Māui has mana, whakapapa associations and history, and we have tikanga and kawa which involve tapu and noa in this area. Te Ātiawa o Te Wa ka-a-Māui mana , take tūpuna and our intense relationship with Riuwaka te awa incorporates our cultural values. Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a-Māui as kaitiaki have strong customary interests in the Riuwaka River and monitor all the resources - material, human and spiritual. These are all are part of Te Ātiawa o Te Wa ka-a-Māui kaitiakitanga, and through these processes innumerable relationships between the sacred and profane, between the past and present, and between groups are protected. Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui have inhere nt responsibilities associated with the Riuwaka, including both environmental resources as well as material treasures. WAIKAWA STREAM AND ITS TRIBUTARIES Waikawa te awa was a tauranga waka site and kaimoana gathering site for Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui b efore the iwi was relocated from Waitohi to Waikawa. Waikawa te awa and the mahinga kai which it provided fell under the mana of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a- Māui as a result of the raupat u. Waikawa Stream has traditional, cultural, historical and spiritual significance to Te Ātiawa o Te Wa ka-a-Māui. The resources of the river once supported the Waikawa pā. Fishing in freshwater environments was a significant part of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a- Māui culture and a major source of kai (food). Waikawa te awa contained an abundance of eels (tuna), smelt, freshwater crayfish (koura) and whitebait (īnanga). Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui would dig trenches at the side of awa a nd lay flax nets at the bottom of each trench to catch īnanga. The mouth of the Wai kawa Stream supplied the iwi with freshwater mussels, koru and tuna, including kōku pu and bulle y. Tuna was plentiful in Waikawa te awa and Te Ātiawa o Te Waka -a-Māui used a night time spearing technique where the black part of the tree fern was used as the spear. The Stream was also used for dyeing flax for weaving, and the fresh water mussel shells were utilised as implements for the weavers. Flax was plentiful along the Stream which also was used as a wānanga for weaving and for eel weir s. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 131 of 163