3.8 NGATI TOA RANGATIRA The statements of association of Ngati Toa Rangatira are set out below. These are statements of the particular cultural, spiritual, historical and traditional association of Ngati Toa Rangatira with identified areas. Lake Rotoiti , Nelson Lakes National Park Lake Rotoiti is of historical and cultural significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira as the area is part of Ngati Toa Rangatira’s extended rohe. In the mid nineteenth century there were numerous Ngati Toa Rangatira settlements throughout Te Tau Ihu and the lake was a valuable resource to the iwi. Lake Rotoiti was used as a pataka kai, or food gathering place by Ngati Toa Rangatira travelling to and from the West Coast to collect and trade pounamu. Lake Rotoiti was a significant mahinga kai and the kakahi (a fresh-water mussel), tuna (eel), Kokopu Inanga and blue duck found in abundance at the lake were gathered by Ngati Toa Rangatira and were favourite foods of Te Rauparaha. Lake Rotoroa , Nelson Lakes National Park Lake Rotoroa is of historical and cultural significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira as the area is part of Ngati Toa Rangatira’s extended rohe. In the mid nineteenth century there were numerous Ngati Toa Rangatira settlements throughout Te Tau Ihu and the Lake was a valuable resource to the iwi. There are fern garden clearings on the western side of the Lake that were a site of temporary accommodation for parties travelling to resource areas and mahinga kai throughout the northern and western South Island. Lake Rotoroa was a significant mahinga kai and the kakahi (a fresh-water mussel), Tuna (eel), Kokopu Inanga and blue duck found in abundance at the lake were favourite foods gathered by Ngati Toa Rangatira. The eels from the area are a prized delicacy. Wairau Pa The Wairau is of great significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Since the 1820s it has been one of the most important sites of Ngati Toa Rangatira occupation and settlement and is, therefore, both culturally and historically important. It was originally captured during the Ngati Toa Rangatira invasion of Te Tau Ihu in the late 1820s with major Ngati Toa Rangatira victories taking place at Kowhai Pa and Hui waka. The Wairau Pa, located at the mouth of the Wairau River, was rebuilt by Te Rauparaha following the southern taua. The large and imposing fortress was still standing at the time of the New Zealand Company surveys in 1843. The area of the pa has been recorded as three quarters of an acre with stockades that ran six or eight feet apart and stood 15 to 20 feet high. These were made of supplejack and manuka. This area remains a site of historical and cultural significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Chetwode Islands The Chetwode Islands are of cultural, historical, spiritual and traditional significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. Also known as Nukuwaiata, the Chetwode islands lie in the outer Pelorus Sound (Te Hoiere), on the edge of Te Moana o Raukawa, an area of immense cultural significance to Ngati Toa Rangatira. The Chetwode Islands are comprised of Nukuwaiata Island and Te Kakaho Island. These islands both contained settlements, Nukuwaiata pa being located at the southern end of that island. The Chetwode Islands Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements Page 148 of 163