Ngāti Apa were among those who continued to cultivate and occupy the land until at least the mid-1840s, when produce grown in the extensive gardens was traded with the Nelson settlers at a market in the town at Matangi Awhio. Waimea was a residence of the tupuna Meihana Kereopa at this time. ANATORI RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES Ngāti Apa’s relationship with its whenua and wai is integral to its identity as a people. The Anatori River was na med by Ngāti Apa tupuna and is a symbol for Ngāti Apa people of the intense nature o f their relationship to their envir onment, and the mauri or life force that is containe d in all parts of the natural enviro nment and binds the spiritual and physical world. The Anatori River trail linked with other major routes (including what is now known as the Heaphy Track) and the Aorere River. A series of kainga and cultivations were to be found along its lower reaches, including Te Awaturoto and Taurangahioi at Whanganui Inlet. Ngāti Apa tupuna had considerable knowledge of places for gathering kai and other taonga, ways in which to use the resource s of the awa and tikanga in a proper and sustainable way. Ngāti Apa valued Te Anatori as an important source of mahinga kai. Its pure water was abundant in fish such as kokopu, inanga, kahawai, kekewai and koura, and birds such as kereru, torea, koko (tui), korimako (bellbird) and toreapongo. MOTUPIKO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES Ngāti Apa’s relationship with its whenua and wai is integral to its identity as a people. The Motupiko River was named by Ngāti Apa tupuna and is a symbol for Ngāti Apa people of the intense nature of their relationship to their environment, and the mauri or life force that is contained in all parts of the natural environment and binds the spiritual and physical world. An ancient trail follows the course of the Motupiko and Motueka Rivers from Mangatawhai, or ‘The Place of Many Trails ’ (Tophouse, near the Nelson Lakes). This formed the main track linking Golden Bay and Tasman Bay with the Wairau and Kawatiri districts. Ngāti Apa tupuna had considerable knowledge of places for gathering kai and other taonga, ways in which to use the resources of the awa and tikanga in a proper and sustainable way. Ngāti Apa valued Te Motupiko as an important source of mahinga kai. Its pure water was abundant in fish such as upokorokoro (grayling or native trout), as well as inanga, kokopu and eels; and birds such as kereru and koko (tui). Some of these species are now virtually extinct as a result of the effects of settlement, river diversion and pollution. A series of Ngāti Apa pā, kainga, mahinga kai (especially birding areas) and cultivations are therefore associated with the Motupiko River and its environs. Many artefacts have been found where the Motupiko converges with the Motueka River. BULLER (KAWATIRI) RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES (NORTHERN PORTION) Ngāti Apa’s relationship with its whenua and wai is integral to its identity as a people. The Kawatiri is a symbol for Ngāti Apa people of the intense nature of their relationship to their environment, the mauri or life force that is contained in all parts of the natural environment and that binds the spiritual and physical world. The Kawatiri River and its associated settlement sites are of inestimable importance to Ngāti Apa in a physical and spiritual sense. Ngāti Apa tupuna had considerable knowledge of places for gathering kai and other taonga, ways in which to use the reso urces of the awa and tikanga in a proper and sustainable way. Ngāti Apa valued the Kawatiri as an important source of mahinga kai. Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 14 of 163